Paha, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paha, Washington
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 Paha, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Adams |
| Elevation | 1,565 ft (477 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
99169
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1511212 |
Paha is a small place in Adams County, Washington, in the United States. It is called an unincorporated community. This means it's a settlement that doesn't have its own local government, like a city or town.
Paha is located along the BNSF Railway's Lakeside Subdivision, which is a railroad line. The area uses the ZIP code 99169 for mail delivery. A post office was opened in Paha in 1886. It served the community until 1943. The name "Paha" comes from an Indian language.
Contents
History of Paha
Before European settlers arrived, the land where Paha is now was home to Native Americans. They had a special name for the area. The word "Paha" meant "big water" to them. This was because there was a reliable spring nearby that provided water.
How Paha Got Its Name
When the Northern Pacific Railway built a train station here in 1883, settlers started using the name "Paha." This was a nod to the original Native American term for the area's important water source.
Early Town Development
Around the time the railroad arrived, a man named George A. Miller planned out a town for Paha. This planning is called "platting." However, the railroad asked for his plan to be canceled in 1887. So, in 1889, the railroad company made a new town plan. Later, in 1902, another section was added to the town plan by Clark Long. He was a former judge and a leader in Adams County.
Local Newspaper in Paha
Paha even had its own weekly newspaper! It was called The Hub. The newspaper started publishing in 1901. It helped keep the community informed about local news and events.
Geography of Paha
Paha is situated in a place called Paha Coulee. A "coulee" is a thin, steep valley. This valley runs from the northeast to the southwest. The flat bottom of the valley is quite narrow, only about a third of a mile wide in Paha.
Elevation and Surroundings
The valley floor where Paha sits is about 1,565 feet above sea level. The hills on either side of the valley rise more than 300 feet within a mile of the community. Just north of Paha, on top of a hill, you can find the Paha Cemetery.
Transportation and Waterways
Running through the valley are a few important features. There's a railroad track and U.S. Route 395, which is a major highway. There's also an intermittent stream. This means the stream only flows during certain times of the year, usually after rain or snowmelt.
The highway has an exit that lets people get to Paha using Paha Packard Road. The city of Ritzville is about 10 miles northeast of Paha. Ritzville is the county seat, which means it's the main town for Adams County. Route 395 and Interstate 90 meet up in Ritzville.
