La Push, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Push, Washington
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La Push and James Island
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 La Push, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
La Push, Washington
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Clallam |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 371 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
98350
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La Push is a small town in Washington, USA. It's located where the Quillayute River meets the Pacific Ocean. You can find it on the western side of the Olympic Peninsula.
La Push is the main town on the Quileute Indian Reservation. This reservation is home to the Quileute tribe, a recognized Native American group. La Push is famous for its amazing whale-watching and beautiful natural surroundings.
The community has always been right on the coast. However, because of sea level rise, the town started moving to higher ground in 2017. This move helps protect it from future floods.
Contents
History of La Push
What's in a Name?
The name La Push comes from a French phrase, La Bouche. This means "The Mouth" of the Quillayute River. It was later changed into the Chinook Jargon language.
The Quileute Tribe's Story
La Push is about 14 miles from Forks. It is the home of the Quileute Tribe. Long ago, tribal members were skilled at building canoes from cedar wood. These canoes came in different sizes. Some were small for two people, while others were large ocean boats. The big boats could carry up to three tons of goods.
The Quileute people were excellent hunters. They were second only to the Makah tribe in hunting whales. They were the best among all tribes at hunting seals. They also raised special dogs with woolly hair. They would spin this hair and weave it into warm, valuable blankets.
Old stories say that the Quileutes' only relatives, the Chimakum, were separated from them. A huge flood swept the Chimakum to the Quimper Peninsula. This was on the other side of the North Olympic Peninsula. In the 1860s, the Chimakum were attacked and defeated by Chief Seattle and the Suquamish Tribe.
The Quileute Tribe signed their first treaty with European Americans in 1855. This was with people representing Governor Isaac Stevens. A treaty a year later would have moved them to a reservation in Taholah. But the Quileute land was so far away that the treaty was not put into action.
In February 1889, President Grover Cleveland signed an order. This order created a one-mile square reservation at La Push. At that time, 252 people lived in the town. Later in 1889, people set fire to La Push. This happened while the villagers were away picking hops in Puyallup.
Moving La Push to Safety
In 2017, work began to move the village of La Push to higher ground. This plan aims to protect the town from tsunamis and floods. These natural events could happen more often due to climate change and higher sea levels. The plan needed changes to the borders of the Olympic National Park. The first building to be moved was the elementary school.
Geography of La Push
There are two beaches close to La Push. Rialto Beach is north of the river mouth. La Push Beach is to the south.
La Push has the westernmost ZIP Code in the contiguous United States. That ZIP code is 98350.
Climate in La Push
La Push has a very wet oceanic climate. The Pacific Ocean makes the weather mild, especially in winter. This is unusual for a place so far north. La Push is west of the Olympic Mountains. Because of this, it gets a lot of rain that falls along the mountain range. August is usually the warmest month. December is the coolest month.
| Climate data for La Push, Washington | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 69 (21) |
73 (23) |
72 (22) |
83 (28) |
92 (33) |
96 (36) |
97 (36) |
99 (37) |
98 (37) |
90 (32) |
82 (28) |
76 (24) |
99 (37) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 47 (8) |
50 (10) |
51 (11) |
55 (13) |
60 (16) |
64 (18) |
68 (20) |
69 (21) |
67 (19) |
59 (15) |
51 (11) |
46 (8) |
57 (14) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 41 (5) |
42 (6) |
44 (7) |
46 (8) |
51 (11) |
55 (13) |
59 (15) |
60 (16) |
57 (14) |
50 (10) |
44 (7) |
40 (4) |
49 (10) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 35 (2) |
35 (2) |
36 (2) |
38 (3) |
42 (6) |
47 (8) |
50 (10) |
50 (10) |
47 (8) |
41 (5) |
38 (3) |
35 (2) |
41 (5) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 7 (−14) |
11 (−12) |
19 (−7) |
23 (−5) |
29 (−2) |
33 (1) |
38 (3) |
36 (2) |
28 (−2) |
23 (−5) |
5 (−15) |
7 (−14) |
5 (−15) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 14.5 (370) |
11.0 (280) |
11.2 (280) |
7.7 (200) |
5.1 (130) |
3.3 (84) |
2.2 (56) |
2.6 (66) |
4.6 (120) |
10.5 (270) |
14.7 (370) |
14.5 (370) |
101.9 (2,596) |
Arts and Culture in La Push
Quileute Culture
La Push is a village of the Quileute Tribe. Life here is often slower and more relaxed. All the businesses in La Push are owned by the tribe.
The Quileute Tribe has brought back many of its old skills and crafts. These are now taught in school, along with their special language. The Quileute language is unique. It's not related to any other language in the world. It's also one of only five languages globally that doesn't use nasal sounds.
Festivals and Events
The popular Quileute Days happen every year from July 17–19 in La Push. This is a tribal celebration of their heritage and modern life.
The event includes a fireworks show and a traditional salmon bake. There are also dancing and songs, sports tournaments, and arts and crafts displays. You can also find many food stands.
Tourism and Fun Activities
In recent years, La Push has become more interested in tourism. Today, you can find oceanfront resorts, a seafood company, and a fish hatchery. There's also a new and improved marina.
The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail goes through La Push. This trail ends at Cape Alava, which is its westernmost point.
Education in La Push
The Quileute Tribal School is located in La Push.
