Fishtrap, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fishtrap, Washington
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Abandoned farm at Fishtrap
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 Fishtrap, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Lincoln |
| Established | 1906 |
| Elevation | 2,290 ft (700 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
99032
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1510969 |
Fishtrap is a fascinating ghost town located in Lincoln County, Washington. A ghost town is a place that used to be a busy community but is now mostly empty. Fishtrap was once a small, active settlement. Today, it is classified as a populated place by the GNIS, even though few people live there.
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The Story of Fishtrap
The town of Fishtrap got its start around 1906. That's when a post office opened there. It was built on land owned by a man named John W. Lawton. The post office served the community for many years. However, it closed down in 1936.
How Fishtrap Got Its Name
The name "Fishtrap" comes from a nearby body of water called Fishtrap Lake. Mr. Lawton, who owned the land, suggested this name. The lake was named this way because local Native Americans had clever ways to catch fish there. They used natural traps to gather fish from the lake.
Train Station: Vista
Even though the post office was called Fishtrap, the train station in the area had a different name. It was known as "Vista." This shows that different parts of the community sometimes had their own unique names.
Fishtrap Recreation Area
Today, the area around the former town of Fishtrap is a popular spot for outdoor activities. The Bureau of Land Management manages the Fishtrap Recreation Area. This large area covers about 9,000 acres.
Exploring the Landscape
You can easily reach the Fishtrap Recreation Area. It's located just off the Fishtrap exit on Interstate 90. The area is less than a mile northwest of where the old town used to be. When you visit, you'll see amazing examples of the Channeled Scablands. This unique landscape was formed by massive floods long ago. These floods carved deep channels and left behind rocky, uneven terrain. It's a great place to learn about geology and enjoy nature.
