Twisp, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Twisp
Town
Twisp, Washington
Nickname(s):  Heart of the Methow Valley
Location of Twisp, Washington
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Okanogan
Incorporated	August 6, 1909
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• Total	1.18 sq mi (3.04 km2)
• Land	1.17 sq mi (3.03 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation	1,637 ft (499 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	992
• Density	841/sq mi (326.3/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98856
Area code(s)	509
FIPS code	53-73080
GNIS feature ID	1527565
Website	Town of Twisp

Twisp is a small town located in Okanogan County, in the northern part of Washington state. It sits right where the Twisp River meets the Methow River. In 2010, about 919 people lived here, and by 2020, the population grew to 992.

Twisp's Early Days: A Town is Born

On July 30, 1897, a man named Henry C. Glover created a plan for a new town in the Methow Valley. He called it Gloversville. Soon after, a small store and a post office opened there. In 1898, Glover became the postmaster, and the town's name changed to Twisp.

No one is completely sure where the name "Twisp" came from. A common idea is that it comes from the Okanagan word /txʷəc'p/. This word might mean "wasp" or "yellowjacket," or it could describe the sound a wasp makes.

On June 29, 1899, Amanda P. Burgar planned another town right next to Gloversville, also called Twisp. From then on, both areas were considered part of the same town.

Growing Up: Businesses and Community Life

Twisp quickly became a busy place for miners and ranchers. Many local businesses supported them, including a drug store, a bank, a hotel, and two saloons. There was also a Methodist church. The Methow tribe often visited, camping in their traditional spots and trading with the new settlers.

On August 6, 1909, Twisp officially became an incorporated town. This meant it could elect its own leaders. The first five-member town council had to decide about licenses for the two saloons. In 1910, the town held an election to see if they should ban alcohol. The people voted to keep alcohol legal.

In 1911, Twisp got electricity, and the first movie theater opened. On January 15, 1912, the Twisp School welcomed its first students. It cost over $12,000 to build.

Challenges and Changes: Fire and Floods

Most of Twisp's buildings were made of wood. Early in the morning on July 24, 1924, a big fire started in downtown Twisp. It burned down 23 buildings and two houses. Only the Filer and McAlister grocery store and the Commercial Bank's vault survived. These buildings were made of strong red brick.

In 1940, the Twisp School building got a large addition. This new part included a library, a study hall, and a gymnasium. Twisp High School moved into this new wing.

By the early 1940s, logging was a very important business in Okanogan County. Ernest and Otto Wagner owned a large logging company. After their mill in Okanogan burned down in 1943, they moved their entire business to Twisp. A local newspaper in 1963 said that the company's payroll was "the life blood" for most people in Twisp and the Methow Valley.

In 1948, the Columbia River and its smaller rivers, including the Twisp and Methow rivers, flooded. The damage in the Methow Valley was huge, costing about $4 million. The flood caused power outages, cut off telephone service, destroyed all bridges, and damaged many houses.

Modern Twisp: New Roads and Community Spaces

When the North Cascades Highway opened in 1972, more people started moving to Twisp. Many were retirees or people who came for outdoor activities. This led to more jobs in the area.

In 1973, a new high school, Liberty Bell Junior-Senior High School, was built between Twisp and its neighbor, Winthrop. The class of 1973 was the last to graduate from Twisp High School. The old school building was empty for five years. In 1979, it reopened as the Methow Valley Community Center.

In 2009, an empty ranger station in Twisp was turned into a special campus called TwispWorks. This place allows local businesses, community groups, artists, and producers to work together.

In August 2015, Twisp and nearby towns had to be evacuated because of the Okanogan Complex Fire. Sadly, three firefighters died while fighting one of these fires near Twisp on August 19.

Twisp's Location and Size

Twisp is located at 48°21′50″N 120°7′11″W / 48.36389°N 120.11972°W / 48.36389; -120.11972. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers a total area of about 1.18 square miles (3.04 square kilometers). All of this area is land. Twisp is situated on the Methow River where it meets the Twisp River.

Population Changes Over Time

Twisp's Population in 2010

In 2010, there were 919 people living in Twisp. These people lived in 474 households, and 222 of these were families. Most of the people in Twisp were White (94.6%). A small number were Native American (1.2%), Asian (0.5%), or from other backgrounds. About 3.3% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

About 20.3% of households had children under 18. Many households (46%) had only one person living in them. The average age in Twisp was about 46.1 years old.

Education in Twisp

The Methow Valley School District serves the town of Twisp. This district includes Methow Valley Elementary and Liberty Bell Junior-Senior High School. Both of these schools are located between Twisp and Winthrop. Twisp also has the Independent Learning Center, which is an alternative high school.

Famous People from Twisp

• Danbert Nobacon, a British musician
• Jake Muxworthy, an actor
• Stella Stevens, an actress
• Lynx Vilden, a British survivalist
• Emily Warn, a poet

See also

In Spanish: Twisp (Washington) para niños