Buckley, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Buckley, Washington
City
Buckley Welcome Sign
Location of Buckley, Washington
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Pierce
Incorporated	1889
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• Total	3.97 sq mi (10.29 km2)
• Land	3.86 sq mi (10.00 km2)
• Water	0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2)
Elevation	732 ft (223 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	5,114
• Estimate  (2021)	5,321
• Density	1,288.2/sq mi (496.99/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98321
Area code(s)	360
FIPS code	53-08570
GNIS feature ID	2409929

Buckley is a friendly city located in Pierce County, Washington, in the United States. It was founded in 1882 and is home to about 5,114 people, according to the 2020 census. Buckley sits by the White River, with the majestic Mount Rainier visible nearby. The city is especially famous for its exciting annual event, the Log Show, which celebrates its logging history.

Exploring Buckley's Past

Buckley has a rich history, starting long before it became a city.

Early Days and Founding

In 1856, an important battle of the Puget Sound War took place near Buckley. This event helped boost the spirits of the early settlers. Years later, in 1875, coal was discovered nearby, leading to the construction of a railroad from Tacoma to Wilkeson in 1877 to transport the coal.

The first non-Native American resident, Jeremiah 'Jerry' Stilley, settled west of the town in 1875. The area was first called "Perkin's Prairie" in 1882. By 1884, a railroad spur track was built, and railroad workers renamed the town "White River Siding." The town's first store opened in 1885.

Becoming Buckley

In 1887, the town was renamed "Buckley" in honor of J.M. Buckley, a superintendent for the Northern Pacific Railway. That same year, the first school was established, showing the community's growth. The town site was officially planned in 1888, and lumber and shingle mills began operating.

Buckley continued to grow rapidly. In 1889, it got its first post office and its first newspaper, The Buckley Banner. The town was officially incorporated by its residents in 1890.

Growth and Development

The early 1890s brought both challenges and progress. A major fire in 1892 destroyed much of the business district, but many new brick buildings were constructed afterward, some of which still stand today. A new school was built, and the first permanent church was established. Buckley's mills even supplied wood for the World's Fair in Chicago! The town also got its first organized water system and a fire department in 1893.

Over the next few decades, Buckley saw many improvements:

• 1902: The first library was established.
• 1905: The first high school graduation took place.
• 1907: A gravity water system and general electricity use began.
• 1909: After a school fire, the town created its own fire department.
• 1910: A new brick school was built.
• 1911: The White River Power Plant was completed, and the current town hall was built.
• 1912: Plank streets were replaced with paving.
• 1914: Wickersham elementary school was built.

Buckley High School, about 1912

Modern Era

In 1939, the Rainier School officially opened, and work began on the Mud Mountain Dam on the White River, which was completed in 1942. The city limits expanded in 1946 to include the Rainier School and farms. Coal mining, a big part of Buckley's early economy, ended in 1947.

The 1950s brought more changes, including new fire and sewage disposal plants. In 1974, the popular Buckley Annual Log Show began, celebrating the area's logging heritage. More recently, in 2003, White River High School moved to a new location.

Buckley's Location and Environment

Buckley is situated on the south side of the White River. It is close to other communities like Enumclaw, Bonney Lake, and Wilkeson. The White River also marks the boundary between King and Pierce counties.

The city covers an area of about 3.95 square miles (10.23 square kilometers), with most of it being land and a small portion being water.

Buckley's Climate

Buckley experiences a "warm-summer Mediterranean climate." This means it has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, similar to places around the Mediterranean Sea.

People of Buckley

Buckley has seen its population grow steadily over the years.

Main St. Buckley, WA

Buckley City Hall

Buckley in 2020

According to the 2020 census, Buckley had a population of 5,114 people. The average age of residents was 37.8 years. About 24.2% of the residents were under 18 years old, and 16.4% were 65 years or older. The population was almost evenly split between males and females.

Most residents (92.2%) lived in urban areas, while a smaller portion (7.8%) lived in rural areas. There were 1,851 households in Buckley. Many households (37.2%) included children under 18. The community is diverse, with people from various backgrounds making Buckley their home.

Getting Around and Services

Transportation in Buckley

State Route 410 is a main highway that runs through Buckley. This highway crosses the Cascade Mountains at Chinook Pass and connects the Tacoma area to Yakima. It also meets State Route 165, which serves the Carbon River valley south of town.

The Foothills Trail, a path for walking and biking, also goes through Buckley. It connects the community to Puyallup and Enumclaw. A new bridge for the trail over the White River opened in 2024. This bridge became the only way to travel between Buckley and Enumclaw after the State Route 410 bridge was damaged and closed in August 2025.

Healthcare Services

For medical needs, the closest general hospital is St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw.

Famous People from Buckley

Buckley has been home to some notable individuals:

• Blaine Larsen, a talented country music artist.
• Lucille Lund, a well-known actress.
• Fences (band), an Indie music artist.

See also

In Spanish: Buckley (Washington) para niños