George Washington (Washington pioneer) facts for kids
George Washington (born August 15, 1817 – died August 26, 1905) was a very important African American pioneer. He is famous for founding the town of Centralia, Washington. He helped shape the early history of the Pacific Northwest.
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Early Life and Moving West
George Washington was born in 1817 near Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia. His father had been enslaved, and his mother was of English background. George was raised by a kind white couple, Anna and James Cochran. They became his adoptive parents.
When George was four, the Cochrans moved to Ohio. This area was known for having safe places on the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. Later, they moved to Missouri. George learned to read on his own and became a skilled rifleman. The Cochrans asked the state of Missouri to grant George full citizen rights. He received all rights except the right to vote.
Facing Challenges on the Oregon Trail
In 1850, a new law called the Compromise of 1850 was passed. This law made George worry he might lose his freedom. So, he and the Cochrans decided to move west. They traveled along the famous Oregon Trail.
When they arrived in the Oregon Territory, they faced a big problem. Laws passed in 1849 stopped African Americans from owning land there. Because of these laws, George and his family had to settle in Milwaukie, a nearby area. George found work as a logger, cutting timber. He earned $90 a month, which was good money at the time.
A Serious Illness and Recovery
About three months after arriving in Milwaukie, George became very sick. His condition was serious. The closest hospital was at the Columbia Barracks military fort, which later became Fort Vancouver. When the Cochrans took him there, they were first told the hospital was only for soldiers.
However, the doctor saw how ill George was and changed his mind. He performed surgery that saved George's life. But the medicine used, called calomel, caused George to lose all his hair permanently. He wore wigs after that. George stayed at the Columbia Barracks for three to four months to recover.
After he got well, they returned to the Milwaukie area. George eventually helped his adoptive parents settle into a cabin near Cowlitz Landing.
Claiming Land in Washington Territory
George then wanted to find his own land near Olympia, Steilacoom, and Seattle. But the laws still prevented him from making a claim. Many other settlers supported George. More than 100 pioneers signed a petition asking for him to be allowed to stay in the Oregon Territory.
The court heard the petition. An attempt to change the law to let Black people stay in Oregon failed. However, the petition to allow George Washington specifically to stay passed by a close vote of 17 to 6. This was an important step.
Luckily, on March 2, 1853, the Washington Territory was officially created. This new territory did not have laws that stopped African Americans from owning land. This meant George could finally make his own land claim.
Building a New Life
George settled near where the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers meet. In 1852, the Cochrans claimed the land for the family. Once the Washington Territory was formed in 1853, the Cochrans sold the land to George for $6,000. George took care of his adoptive parents for the rest of their lives. Later, he married Mary Jane Cain Cooness and helped raise her son, Stacey.
Founding Centralia
In 1872, George Washington learned that the Northern Pacific railroad was coming. He had a vision of building a town on his land. He believed it was a perfect central spot between Kalama and Tacoma. He first named the town Centerville.
George carefully planned the town. He named streets after biblical references. He also set aside land for a park, which is now the site of the Carnegie Library. He also made sure there was land for churches of different faiths.
In 1886, the town's name was changed to Centralia, Washington. This was because another town in the territory already had the name Centerville. This made George Washington the only Black person to found a town in the Pacific Northwest.
Supporting the Community
George Washington believed in steady growth and fair business practices. Some people found him so honest and direct that they became suspicious!
Even though he faced some unfair treatment from new people moving in, George Washington helped many townspeople during a tough time. This was during the Panic of 1893, when the Northern Pacific railroad went bankrupt. The town almost failed.
However, Centralia began to thrive again with the start of the Alaska Gold Rush in 1898. By the time George Washington passed away in 1905 at age 88, Centralia had grown to about 5,000 residents. Many people came to his funeral to honor him. He is buried in the town's Washington Lawn Cemetery.
Remembering George Washington
The town of Centralia has several memorials to its founder. There is a large stone monument telling his life story in George Washington Park. This park was a gift from George and Mary Jane Washington to the city.
In 2018, during a year-long celebration of his 200th birthday, volunteers built a bronze statue of George and Mary Jane Washington. This statue was placed in George Washington Park in August 2018.
