Dallesport, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dallesport, Washington
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Location of Dallesport in Klickitat County, Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Klickitat |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.55 sq mi (19.55 km2) |
| • Land | 6.73 sq mi (17.44 km2) |
| • Water | 0.81 sq mi (2.11 km2) |
| Elevation | 213 ft (65 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,328 |
| • Density | 178/sq mi (68.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
98617
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| FIPS code | 53-16550 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1512134 |
Dallesport is a small community in Washington State, located in Klickitat County. It's known as a census-designated place (CDP), which means it's a group of people living together that the government counts, but it's not an official city or town with its own local government. In 2020, about 1,328 people called Dallesport home.
Contents
A Look Back: Dallesport's History
Early People and the River
Long ago, the land where Dallesport is now was home to the Wishram tribe. They lived along the north bank of the Columbia River. This area was very important to them, especially for fishing.
However, building The Dalles Dam in 1957 changed the river. It created Lake Celilo and covered the Wishram's traditional fishing spots. This was a big change for the tribe. Before the lake filled, some old burial sites were moved to the Wish-ham Cemetery near Dallesport.
Traveling the Columbia River
Dallesport was once called "Rockport" or "Rockland Flats." It was an important spot for crossing the river. The first ferry started here in 1854. Rockland Flats was even the first county seat for Klickitat County until 1878.
Riverboats traveled the Columbia River, but they couldn't get past the powerful waterfalls at The Dalles and Celilo Falls. To get around these falls, people first used a long wagon road. Later, the Oregon Portage Railroad opened in 1863, making it easier to move goods and people by train.
In 1905, a special canal was approved. The Dalles-Celilo Canal opened in 1915. It had five locks that helped boats go up and down a 90-foot difference in water level. This canal was used until 1957, when it was flooded by the Dalles Dam.
Building Bridges and Dams
People started talking about building a bridge across the Columbia River here in the late 1800s. But the plan wasn't approved until 1947. The The Dalles Bridge finally opened on December 18, 1953. This made it much easier for people and goods to cross the river.
Where is Dallesport Located?
Dallesport is in the southwest part of Klickitat County. It sits right on the north shore of the Columbia River. Across the river to the south is The Dalles, Oregon. The land here is quite flat, like a peninsula, formed by the Columbia River.
Rivers, Roads, and an Airport
Washington State Route 14 runs along the northern edge of Dallesport. This road can take you east to Maryhill or west to White Salmon. U.S. Route 197 is on the eastern side of Dallesport. It goes south across the Dalles Bridge into Oregon.
You can also find the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in the southeast part of Dallesport. This airport helps people travel in and out of the area.
Land and Water Around Dallesport
Dallesport covers about 7.5 square miles (19.6 square kilometers) in total. Most of this area, about 6.7 square miles (17.4 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 0.8 square miles (2.1 square kilometers), is water from the Columbia River.
Dallesport's Weather
Dallesport has a special kind of weather called a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. This means it has warm, dry summers. The average monthly temperatures don't usually go above 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius).
On June 28, 2021, Dallesport experienced a very hot day. The temperature reached 118 degrees Fahrenheit (47.8 degrees Celsius). This tied the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded in Washington State!
Who Lives in Dallesport?
In 2000, there were 1,185 people living in Dallesport. The community had 473 households, and 335 of those were families. Most people were White, but there were also Native American, Asian, African American, and people of other backgrounds. About 3.71% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Dallesport was 40 years old. About 27.8% of the population was under 18, and 12.8% were 65 or older. Families in Dallesport earned a median income of about $41,689 per year.
See also
In Spanish: Dallesport (Washington) para niños
