Skamania, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Skamania, Washington
|
|
|---|---|
.jpeg)
Fish wheel on a scow near Skamania on the Columbia River, June 1924
|
|
 Skamania, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Skamania, Washington
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Skamania |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Skamania is a small community located in the southwestern part of Washington State. It is found in Skamania County. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place with a shared identity but without its own local government.
Contents
History of Skamania
Early Native American Life
For thousands of years, the area around Skamania was home to Native American groups. Their villages were important places for trading and social events. They often gathered to fish along the riverbanks.
Explorers and Pioneers
Some of the first explorers to visit this area included Lewis & Clark and David Thompson. They used the Columbia River to travel through the Cascade Mountains on their way to the Pacific Ocean. In 1843, the Oregon Trail brought the first settlers to the region.
Pioneers had to carry their boats and goods around the Cascade Rapids. This was a tough journey on their way to the Willamette Valley. Some families decided to stay and make this beautiful area their home.
Founding of Stevenson
The Stevenson family, who came from Missouri in the 1800s, helped start the nearby town of Stevenson. In 1893, George Stevenson bought the land for the town. He paid $24,000 to build the town along the flat area near the river. Settlers later made the dock bigger. This allowed large boats called sternwheelers to unload passengers and goods, and to pick up logs.
Geography of Skamania
Skamania is located inside the beautiful Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. You can find it along Washington State Route 14. The community is situated between two other places: Prindle to its west and North Bonneville to its east.
Parks and Outdoor Fun
There are many cool places to explore near Skamania.
- Beacon Rock State Park is just east of the community. It's a great spot for hiking and enjoying nature.
- The Sams Walker Day Use Site is also nearby. The US Forest Service takes care of this area.
- Skamania is located between two special places for wildlife: Pierce National Wildlife Refuge and Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge. These refuges are important winter homes for tundra swans. They also have a plant called wapato, which was once very rare but is now growing steadily in the area.
Education
Young students in the community attend Skamania Elementary School.
See also
In Spanish: Skamania (Washington) para niños
