Swofford, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Swofford, Washington
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 Swofford, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Swofford, Washington
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Lewis |
| Established | 1890 |
| Elevation | 778 ft (237 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| zip code |
98564
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| Area code(s) | 360 |
| GNIS source - Swofford Valley | |
Swofford, also known as Swofford Valley, is a small, unincorporated community in central Lewis County, in the U.S. state of Washington. This means it's a place with a shared identity but no official local government. Swofford is located on the south shore of Riffe Lake. It is about 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Mossyrock.
Contents
History of Swofford Valley
The Swofford Valley was first settled by farmers Thomas and Jennie Swofford. They arrived with their children in 1887 after traveling from Illinois. Thomas bought 160 acres (65 ha) of land in the middle of the valley.
How Swofford Got Its Name
The Swofford family started a post office in their home. They also opened a drug store. This is how the community got its name, Swofford. After the post office and store closed, the building became a dance hall.
Important People in Swofford's History
The Swoffords later moved to nearby Mossyrock. Thomas Swofford passed away in 1924, and Jennie Swofford died in 1932. Their son, Harry Swofford, became a state representative and senator. He lived in the area until he passed away in 1970.
Another important person was D.C. Davis. He was a pioneer farmer and postmaster in the valley. He lived in Swofford for 65 years. His son later became the mayor of Centralia.
Early Life and Events in Swofford
In 1920, the first airplane flight in Swofford Valley was reported. People joked that farmers might get stiff necks from looking up at more planes. By the 1920s, the community had an organized grange. A grange is a local group for farmers and their families.
Swofford's First Post Office
A post office was officially opened in Swofford in 1890. It stayed open until May 1922. After that, people picked up their mail at the post office in the nearby community of Ajlune.
Before county roads were built, Indigenous people helped deliver mail. They used horses and followed existing Native American trails. Members of the Swofford family were postmasters for many years. Jennie Swofford resigned from the job in 1909.
Geography and Nature in Swofford
Swofford Valley is known for its farming land. The area has meadows and rolling hills. A body of water called Swofford Pond is fed by Sulphur Creek. In the early days of farming, the valley had many orchards.
Fun Things to Do in Swofford
Swofford is home to Swofford Pond, a 240-acre (97 ha) lake. It used to be called Swofford Valley Pond. The pond grew larger after the area was flooded when the Mossyrock Dam was built.
Fishing and Boating at Swofford Pond
Plans for Swofford Pond to become a park started in the late 1960s. You can access the water with a boat from a boat launch. This shallow lake is home to many types of fish. These include bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie, perch, and sturgeon.
Trout, especially brown and rainbow trout, are regularly added to the pond. This is called fish stocking. Fishing is usually possible at Swofford Pond all year round.
Hiking the Swofford Pond Trail
The Swofford Pond Trail runs along the south shore of the pond. This trail was built on an old logging road. It is mostly flat and about 3 miles (4.8 km) long (out and back). The trail goes through a forest with both evergreen and hardwood trees. There are also some open areas.
You can see many kinds of birds here, like ducks, eagles, and ospreys. Deer, elk, and otters also visit the area.
Other Nearby Recreation Areas
You can also find a campground at Riffe Lake. Another nearby place for outdoor fun is Mossyrock Park.
Economy and Farming in Swofford
Swofford was mainly a farming community. In the early days, the economy focused on hog farming. Settlers would herd their pigs, much like cattle, to markets in Chehalis.
Education in Swofford
The Swofford school was part of district no. 66. It had a small to moderate number of students. In 1903, there were 37 students reported. The school was a one-room schoolhouse located on a farm. The Swofford school building was still used for religious gatherings in the 1950s.
How Swofford Was Built Up
In the early days, traveling from Swofford to towns like Chehalis was a challenge. People used a dirt road and crossed a wooden bridge in Mayfield. The main road to Chehalis was a plank road. This road was 4 inches (10 cm) thick and 8 feet (2.4 m) wide.
Roads and Transportation
A county road began to be built in 1915. This road connected Swofford to local communities like Ajlune and Riffe. It also continued on to Morton.
To help develop the central Lewis County area, Swofford joined other towns. These included Harmony, Mayfield, and Nesika. They formed the Cowlitz Valley Civic League. Their goal was to build a connected road system.
In the mid-1950s, another county road was built. It followed an old logging route. This road connected Swofford to nearby Winston Creek.
Water Management and Fish Hatchery
Residents in Swofford also worked together to build a long drainage ditch. This ditch was 5,000 feet (1,500 m) long. It helped drain water from the valley to create more land for farming.
Starting in 1966-1967, Swofford Pond was used as a special hatchery. It helped raise fish to make up for fish lost due to dams in the area. This site was part of the larger Cowlitz Fish Hatchery project. At the time, it was considered the biggest fish hatchery in the world.
