Wauconda, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wauconda, Washington
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 Wauconda, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Wauconda, Washington
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Okanogan |
| Founded | 1898 |
| Elevation | 3,576 ft (1,090 m) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 226 |
| • Density | 1.8/sq mi (0.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
98859
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| Area code(s) | 509 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1527856 |
Wauconda is a tiny community in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. It's called an unincorporated community because it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. Wauconda used to be a busy mining town, but now it's very small. Most of the businesses there are owned by just one person.
Contents
History of Wauconda
How Wauconda Began
Wauconda was started in 1898. It began as a place where people came to mine for valuable minerals. Three brothers from a town called Wauconda, Illinois, found gold in this area. They decided to name their new mine after their hometown.
Soon, four mines were working in the area. These included the Oregonian Mine and three Wauconda Mines. Because of the mines, many people moved to the area. The population quickly grew to over 300 people.
Wauconda's Early Days
By the year 1900, Wauconda had its own general store. This was a place where people could buy many different things. In 1901, a post office was opened. This made it easier for people to send and receive mail. At its busiest time, about 1,000 people lived in Wauconda.
Changes Over Time
In the early 1900s, the mines started to produce less gold. Because of this, the mines eventually closed down. In 1929, a new road, Highway 20, was built. This new road went around the original town. So, the town of Wauconda had to move to be closer to the new highway. The old town location is now a ghost town, meaning it's abandoned.
Wauconda Today
Today, Wauconda is much smaller than it used to be. It has a small area with businesses. These include a post office, a gas station, a general store, and a restaurant. All of these businesses are owned by one private owner.
In 2008, the owner, Daphne Fletcher, decided to sell the town's businesses and a house. She asked for $1,125,000. In March 2010, she tried to sell the town on eBay. She called it a "town for auction." A couple from Healesville, Victoria, in Australia, won the auction. They offered $370,601, but they couldn't buy it. This was because of money and health problems.
Two weeks later, another couple bought the town. Neal and Maddie Love from Bothell, Washington, bought it for $360,000. However, Neal Love found a steady job in North Dakota. So, the couple closed the store in June 2015.
Geography
Wauconda is located on a flat, high area of land called a plateau. It is about 23 miles (37 km) east of Tonasket, Washington. The community is near Wauconda Pass and the Okanogan–Wenatchee National Forest. State Route 20 goes right through the community. Wauconda is also close to where a part of Granite Creek begins. This creek flows into the Sanpoil River near Republic, Washington.
See also
In Spanish: Wauconda (Washington) para niños
