Kapowsin, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kapowsin
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census-designated place (CDP)
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 Kapowsin
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Pierce |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 249 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Kapowsin is a small community in Pierce County, Washington, United States. It is located about 25 miles (38 kilometers) southeast of Tacoma. In 2020, the population of Kapowsin was 249 people. It is known as a "census-designated place" because the U.S. Census Bureau tracks its population, even though it's not an officially incorporated city or town.
History of Kapowsin
Kapowsin was named after a nearby shallow body of water called Lake Kapowsin. This area was once a natural travel route. It connected the Puyallup and Nisqually Rivers. This made it an important path at the base of the Cascade mountains.
Before settlers arrived in 1888, the Nisqually tribe lived in a village nearby. They told stories about a strong leader named Chief Kapowsin who lived by the lake.
Kapowsin officially started in 1901. This was when the Kapowsin Lumber Company built a large sawmill there. The community grew into a busy lumber town in the early 1900s. It had its own high school, shops, and many businesses. At its peak, about 10,000 people lived there.
After the timber industry slowed down, the town became much smaller. It turned into a neighborhood center with a store, a tavern, a post office (ZIP code 98344), a fire station, and a community hall. Kapowsin High School was closed in 1949 after it was damaged by an earthquake. By 2010, the population was 333.
Education and Transportation
Kapowsin is part of two different school districts. Some students attend schools in the Bethel School District. Others are in the Eatonville School District. Kapowsin Elementary School is located close to the community.
Older students go to Frontier Junior High and Graham-Kapowsin High School. Graham-Kapowsin High School first opened its doors in 2005. A freight train line, operated by Tacoma Rail, also runs through the town. This line travels to Morton, Washington.
See also
In Spanish: Kapowsin (Washington) para niños
