The Oregon Journal, Portland, OR., May 5, 1915, page 11
GOLDENDALE IS WIDE AWAKE TO OPPORTUNITIES
Thriving Washington Town Well Built And Houses Substantial Institutions
The fact that Goldendale, with a population of the 1500,
boasts more pavement than any other town of its size in the union, reflects
that spirit of its citizens and indicates the quality of enterprise which
has made it the center of a greater portion of Klickitat's 1800 square miles
of territory.
The town, one of the prettiest in southern Washington,
is located in the very heart of the Klickitat valley, and is the terminus
of the Goldendale branch of the North Bank railroad. In addition from it
radiates a system of well kept highways that reach into all sections of the
county and bring trade to its business men. At the present time the Washington
state highway is being constructed through Goldendale which will, upon
completion, put Klickitat county's seat on one of the main trunks and connect
it directly with the good roads system of the state.
Steady growth epitomizes of the development of the community
from the time it was established in 1872 on the banks of the Little Klickitat
on a site chosen by John Golden after whom it was named.
From the builder's standpoint it is one of the best set
up communities in Washington. The majority of its business houses are of
brick; all its principal streets are hard surfaced and the major portion
of the residential thoroughfares are macadamized. There are three miles of
hard surfaced pavement and 2½ miles of macadam all laid since 1912.
The value of reality is roughly $1,250,000 and the city
tax levy 21 mills on a 25 percent of valuation.
Pure mountain water, distributed by a municipal plant,
obtains. The water system is valued at $50,000 and last year $26,000 was
expended in improvements which included the construction of a second reservoir.
The water comes from a huge spring in the Simcoe hills and is piped by gravity
direct to consumers.
There are two flourishing banks which carry heavy deposits;
four department stores which carry an excellent stocks, and numbers of other
business houses. The manufacturing industries include two flouring mills,
a large lumber mill and planing mill.
The principle religious denominations are represented
by substantial churches and there are no saloons in the city. There are three
school buildings, a modern hospital, hotel and a Carnegie library which was
only completed recently. An excellent newspaper serves the publicity needs
of the community.
The city is lighted with electricity supplied by the
Pacific Power & Light company.
As a shipping point it is steadily gaining. Last year
250,000 bushel of wheat were shipped from Goldendale and 56 car loads of
hogs. In addition thousands of crates of berries, apples and tons of alfalfa
found egress to markets through the Goldendale gateway.
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer