Vader, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vader, Washington
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Historic buildings in downtown Vader
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Location of Vader, Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Lewis |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.93 sq mi (2.41 km2) |
| • Land | 0.93 sq mi (2.41 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 161 ft (49 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 629 |
| • Density | 721.21/sq mi (278.47/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
98593
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| Area code | 360 |
| FIPS code | 53-73780 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1512755 |
Vader is a small city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. In 2020, about 629 people lived there. It's known for its interesting history and how it got its unique name.
Contents
Why is it Called Vader?
The city of Vader has had a few different names! First, it was called Kraft. Then, it became known as Little Falls because of waterfalls on Olequa Creek.
However, the Northern Pacific Railway didn't like the name Little Falls. There was already a town called Little Falls, Minnesota, which caused confusion. So, the railway changed the town's name to Sopenah.
The people living there weren't happy with Sopenah. They asked the state government to change it to Toronto. But again, there were already several towns named Toronto in the U.S.
Finally, everyone agreed to name the town after a German resident and Civil War veteran named Martin Vader. The name was officially changed to Vader on March 25, 1913. Even though a myth started that he didn't like the recognition, later reports said he was proud of the honor.
Attempts to Change the Name Back
Twice in recent years, people have tried to change the town's name back to Little Falls. Some felt the name Vader didn't truly represent the town. Others thought Little Falls would attract more tourists.
The idea was put to a vote in 2005 and 2015. Both times, the residents voted against changing the name. In 2015, 131 people voted to keep Vader, while only 73 wanted to change it.
A Look at Vader's History
The town, then called Little Falls, officially became a city on January 12, 1906. Between 1890 and 1920, Vader was a busy place. It had over 40 businesses, two churches, and even a hospital. You could find a bowling alley, an opera house, and a movie theater!
At its busiest, Vader might have had as many as 5,000 residents. But over time, the town's population decreased due to different problems. For example, a clay company burned down in 1914, and the main sawmill was sold. A new, smaller clay factory opened in 1920, but it also burned down in 1925.
Where is Vader Located?
Vader is a small city, covering about 0.93 square miles (2.41 km2) of land. It's located in Lewis County, Washington.
Who Lives in Vader?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 631 | — | |
| 1920 | 500 | −20.8% | |
| 1930 | 465 | −7.0% | |
| 1940 | 479 | 3.0% | |
| 1950 | 426 | −11.1% | |
| 1960 | 380 | −10.8% | |
| 1970 | 387 | 1.8% | |
| 1980 | 406 | 4.9% | |
| 1990 | 414 | 2.0% | |
| 2000 | 590 | 42.5% | |
| 2010 | 621 | 5.3% | |
| 2020 | 629 | 1.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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In 2010, there were 621 people living in Vader. These people lived in 228 households, with 157 of them being families. The average household had about 2.72 people.
About 24.2% of the residents were under 18 years old. The median age in the city was 41.4 years.
Fun Things to Do in Vader
Festivals and Events
Vader has a special yearly event called the May Day Festival. It's been held on the first Saturday of May since 1952. The festival includes a traditional maypole dance and a parade.
It all started thanks to Lena DeAger, a local Girl Scout leader. In the early years, scouts would parade on decorated bicycles and wagons. Over time, the festival grew to include car shows, a cake walk, and even the crowning of a May Day Queen!
Historic Buildings and Sites
Vader is home to some cool old buildings.
- Grace Evangelical Church of Vader: This church has a Gothic style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's still used today by the United Methodist Church.
- Ben Olsen House: This beautiful mansion was built in 1903 for the Olsen family, who owned a lumber company. It was the very first home in Vader to have electricity!
Parks and Recreation
Vader has two main parks for everyone to enjoy.
- McMurphy Park: This park is about 13-acre (5.3 ha) big. It was given to the city by a former resident in 2001. The park is next to Olequa Creek and the Little Falls of Vader. The community worked together to build up the park, finishing most of it by 2007. There are plans for an amphitheater, sports fields, playgrounds, and places for camping and picnics.
- J.K. Werden Memorial Park: This park became official in 2005 and is close to downtown. It was originally 175 ft × 120 ft (53 m × 37 m) in size, but a land purchase in 2015 doubled its area! The park has bathrooms, kitchen facilities, a basketball court built in 2015, and new playground equipment added in 2021. Vader's Old City Jail is also located here.
Schools in Vader
The first school in the Little Falls-Vader area was a one-room schoolhouse built near the waterfalls. A second school was built in 1892. In 1930, a two-story schoolhouse was built for students up to eighth grade.
The grade school in Vader, built in the 1950s, closed in 2007. This happened because local funding measures to maintain the school and improve safety didn't pass. Students then went to a temporary school in Toledo. Now, the Vader school district is part of the Castle Rock district. However, students can choose to attend schools in closer towns if they prefer.
Famous People from Vader
- Robert Cantwell, a writer and critic
- Herbert Heyes, an actor from silent films
See also
In Spanish: Vader (Washington) para niños
