Wilcox, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilcox, Washington
|
|
---|---|
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
County | Whitman |
Established | 1892 |
Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
Wilcox is a fascinating ghost town located in Whitman County, in the U.S. state of Washington. A ghost town is a place where most or all people have moved away, leaving behind empty buildings and a quiet atmosphere. The GNIS lists Wilcox as a place that was once populated.
Contents
What Happened to Wilcox?
A Town's Beginning
Wilcox started its journey as a community in 1892. That year, a post office was opened there. A post office is a place where people can send and receive letters and packages, which was very important for communication in the past.
How Wilcox Got Its Name
The community of Wilcox was named after a person named Robert Wilcox. He was an early postmaster in the town. A postmaster is the person in charge of a post office. It was common for towns to be named after important people who helped establish them.
When the Town Faded Away
The post office in Wilcox stayed open for many years, helping the community connect with the outside world. However, it eventually closed down in 1935. When a post office closes, it often means that fewer people are living in the area, or they are getting their mail from a different, larger town nearby. This was a sign that Wilcox was becoming a ghost town.