Orillia, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Orillia, Washington
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 Orillia, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Orillia, Washington
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | King |
| Established | 1887 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Orillia, Washington, was once a small community located southwest of Renton. It was situated in the Green River Valley within King County, in the U.S. state of Washington. Today, Orillia is no longer an independent town. Instead, its former location lies on the border where the cities of Kent, Tukwila, and Renton now meet. It is often referred to as a "ghost town" because it no longer exists as a distinct, active settlement.
Contents
Discovering Orillia: A Former Washington Community
Orillia was a small but notable community in its time. It even had its own schoolhouse, which was an important building for any growing settlement. The area was known for its location in the fertile Green River Valley.
The Story of Orillia's Beginnings
The community of Orillia was officially established in 1887. This was a time when many new settlements were forming across the American West.
- Post Office and Naming: A post office was opened in Orillia in 1887. Having a post office was a big deal for a community. It meant people could send and receive mail, connecting them to the wider world. The name "Orillia" was chosen because an early settler came from a town called Orillia, Ontario, Canada. They decided to name their new home after their old one.
- Life in the Community: For many years, Orillia was a functioning community. Its post office stayed open for a long time, serving the residents until 1964. This shows that people lived and worked in Orillia for over 70 years.
Orillia Becomes Part of Other Cities
Over time, as nearby cities grew, they began to expand their borders. This is a common process called "annexation."
- Annexation by Kent and Renton: In 1959, the cities of Kent and Renton grew large enough to annex, or take over, the area where Orillia was located. This meant that Orillia stopped being its own separate community. Its land and residents became part of these larger cities.
- Where Orillia Is Today: If you look at a map today, you won't find Orillia listed as a town. Instead, the area it once occupied is now a shared border region between Kent, Tukwila, and Renton.
Famous People from Orillia
Even small communities can be the birthplace of notable individuals. Orillia was no exception.
- Red Badgro: A famous American football player named Red Badgro was born in Orillia. He was a talented athlete who played in the early days of professional football. Badgro was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a very high honor for a football player.
