Cowiche, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cowiche, Washington
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 Cowiche, Washington
Location in Yakima County
Cowiche, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Yakima |
| Elevation | 1,749 ft (533 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 535 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
98923
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1512121 |
Cowiche (pronounced Cow-witch-ee) is a small community in central Washington State, USA. It's located northwest of Yakima, Washington, near the eastern Cascade Mountains.
Cowiche is an unincorporated community. This means it's a place where people live together, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. It's also a census-designated place, which is a special area the government defines just for counting people during a census.
The name Cowiche, sometimes spelled Cowychee, is thought to mean "footbridge between the valley and the mountains." In 2020, about 535 people lived there. This was an increase from 428 people in 2010.
History of Cowiche
The first people to live in the Cowiche area were the Tkai'waichash-hlama. They were a group of Native American people who lived along Cowiche Creek.
In the late 1800s, farmers began to settle here. They grew crops like wheat, barley, and rye. They also raised cattle. It was hard to start a farm, or homestead, in Cowiche. Farmers had to clear away lots of volcanic rock from their fields. There was also very little rain in the summer.
In 1906, a big project started called the Tieton Irrigation Project. This project brought water to the area. Irrigation is when you supply water to land or crops using canals or pipes. Once water was available in 1907, farmers could grow new crops. Soon, fruit orchards began to replace the wheat fields.
Way of Life in Cowiche
Cowiche shares a school district with the nearby town of Tieton. It's called the Highland School District. The community is very proud of its high school sports teams.
For example, the boys' basketball team won the Washington State A division championship in 1988. The boys' soccer team also won state championships in 2006, 2007, and 2015.
Most people in the Cowiche area work in agriculture. This means they work with farming and growing crops. Cowiche, like much of the Yakima Valley, is famous for its delicious apple crops.
Points of Interest
- Cowiche Canyon is a popular place to visit. It's known for its beautiful trails and nature.
See also
In Spanish: Cowiche (Washington) para niños
