Curlew, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Curlew, Washington
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Ansorge Hotel Museum in Curlew
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 Curlew, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Curlew, Washington
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Ferry |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.76 sq mi (1.96 km2) |
| • Land | 0.76 sq mi (1.96 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,801 ft (549 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 118 |
| • Density | 156/sq mi (60.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
99118
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1518417 |
| FIPS code | 53-16165 |
Curlew is a small, unincorporated community in Ferry County, Washington, USA. This means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own city government like a town or city. It's located between two other communities, Malo and Danville, along State Route 21. The community is named after the curlew birds that used to be very common in the area. In 2010, about 118 people lived in Curlew.
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Where is Curlew?
Curlew is found where Long Alec Creek meets the Kettle River. It sits about 1,800 feet (549 meters) above sea level. If you travel on State Route 21, Curlew is about 21 miles (34 km) north of Republic, which is the main town in Ferry County. It's also only about 10 miles (16 km) south of the border with Canada.
Fun on the Kettle River
One of the most popular spots in Curlew during the summer is "the Old Swimming Hole." It's a great place to cool off in the Kettle River, right in the middle of town.
Curlew also has a unique tradition called the Curlew Barrel Derby Days. This event happens every year on the first Sunday in June. People float a barrel in the Kettle River from the Job Corps Bridge. Local residents then guess when the barrel will reach the town. It's a fun way to celebrate the river and the community's history.
Curlew's History
How Curlew Started
In 1896, two traders named Guy S. Helphry and J. Walters opened a general store near a old ferry crossing. This spot was where Curlew Creek and the Kettle River met. Soon, more log buildings and stores appeared around their shop.
By 1898, Curlew got its own post office. The community quickly grew as miners, railroad workers, and local people passed through. By 1901, a bridge was built over the Kettle River, and about 200 people lived in Curlew. Nearby mines like Drummer, Lancaster, and Panama also grew, bringing more people to the area.
At its busiest, Curlew had two general stores, two places to eat, a hotel, and other businesses.
Railroad Days
In the early 1900s, two different railway companies were building tracks near Curlew. These were the Republic and Kettle Valley Railway (KVL) and the Washington and Great Northern Railway (W&GN). They were both trying to build lines connecting Grand Forks in British Columbia, Canada, to Curlew and Republic in Washington.
There were even some disagreements between the railway crews! For example, in 1902, one company tried to pull down a bridge built by the other. But law enforcement helped calm things down.
Both railways eventually offered passenger service through Curlew. This made it easier for people to travel and for goods to be moved.
End of the Railroad Era
Over time, the railways faced problems. In 1919, the KVL railway stopped operating. Later, in 1935, the Great Northern Railway also stopped service in parts of the area, including Curlew.
Finally, in 2006, the Kettle Falls International Railway, which was a successor to the Great Northern, stopped all train service to Curlew. This marked the end of the railroad era for the community.
Famous Person from Curlew
- Bud Podbielan, a professional baseball player, was from Curlew.
See also
In Spanish: Curlew (Washington) para niños
