Blewett, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blewett, Washington
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Blewett Pass
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 Blewett, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Blewett, Washington
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Chelan |
| Established | 1893 (as Werner) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Blewett was once a small town in Chelan County, Washington, United States. It was a mining town located in the foothills of the Wenatchee Mountains. People started settling here in the mid-1870s to find gold and other valuable minerals.
Contents
History of Blewett
Early Mining Days
Miners first claimed land in the Blewett area in 1874. By 1878, a special machine called a stamp mill was built. This mill crushed rocks to get out the gold and other valuable ores. In 1879, a wagon road was built to Cle Elum, making it easier to transport goods and people.
Town's Name and Growth
The community was first called Werner when a post office opened in 1893. However, just one year later, its name changed to Blewett. It was named after Edward Blewett from Seattle. His mining company owned many of the claims in the area.
By 1896, another road was completed to Peshastin. A stagecoach traveled this road three times a week. Blewett was a busy place then! It had a school, a two-story hotel, stores, and even telegraph service. People could send messages quickly.
The End of the Gold Rush
However, the gold didn't last forever. In 1905, the main gold mine ran out of ore. The stamp mill stopped working, and people started to leave the town. Blewett slowly became a ghost town.
Blewett Today
Today, Blewett is a ghost town. You can still see the old stamp mill and a few small, scattered buildings. Some old mines are still there, but it's important to be very careful if you explore them.
The location of the former town is marked by a roadside sign on US-97. There is also a parking area and an information sign for visitors. It's a place where you can imagine what life was like during the gold rush!
See also
In Spanish: Blewett (Washington) para niños
