Corfu, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Corfu, Washington
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 Corfu, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Grant |
| Established | 1910 |
| Elevation | 630 ft (190 m) |
| Population
(1920s)
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| • Total | 131 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
99357
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1510890 |
Corfu is a fascinating ghost town located in Grant County, Washington. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, leaving behind empty buildings and a quiet history. This small community was named after the beautiful island of Corfu in Greece.
Where is Corfu?
Corfu is nestled in the valley of lower Crab Creek. Just south of the town, the Saddle Mountains rise steeply. These mountains reach over 2,000 feet high. This area has unique natural beauty.
A Look Back in Time
Corfu began to grow around 1909. This was when the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad opened a stop there. A post office was also set up in 1910.
At its busiest in the 1920s, Corfu had 131 people living there. The town offered many services for its residents. These included a store, a gas station, a school, and a train depot. It was a lively place for its size.
Why Did Corfu Become a Ghost Town?
The town's population started to shrink quickly. This happened as new highway networks were built. These highways bypassed Corfu, meaning fewer people traveled through the town.
By 1930, the number of people living in Corfu had dropped by more than half. The post office closed in 1943. The train line, which was so important to the town's beginning, was finally stopped in 1980. Today, Corfu remains a quiet reminder of its past.
