Mullan Road was the first wagon road to cross the Rocky Mountains to the Inland of the Pacific Northwest . It was built by U.S. Army troops under the command of Lt. John Mullan , between the spring of 1859 and summer 1860. It led from Fort Benton , which at the time was in the Dakota Territory , then Idaho Territory from July 1863, and into Montana Territory beginning in May 1864. The road eventually stretched all the way from Fort Walla Walla , Washington Territory , near the Columbia River to the navigational head of the Missouri River , which at the time was the farthest inland port in the world). The road previewed the route approximately followed by modern-day Interstate 15 and Interstate 90 through present-day Montana, Idaho, and Washington.
44-620: Parts of the Mullan Road can still be traveled; one such section is near Washtucna, Washington . A segment of the Mullan Road in the vicinity of Benton Lake was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, and the American Society of Civil Engineers designated it a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1977. Three segments of the road in Idaho were also listed on
88-532: A couple of miles to the east of Washtucna, but in geological history the river previously flowed through Washtucna down Washtucna Coulee. The river eventually changed into its present-day course, abandoning the coulee. During the Missoula Floods , the former riverbed saw water once more as flood waters scoured their way through its channel. That history gives the Washtucna area features that are representative of both
132-427: A family was $ 43,551. Males had a median income of $ 35,695 versus $ 25,160 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 16,689. About 19.0% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 36.6% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 census , there were 16,428 people, 5,229 households, and 4,094 families living in the county. The population density
176-430: A household in the county was $ 33,888, and the median income for a family was $ 37,075. Males had a median income of $ 28,740 versus $ 21,597 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 13,534. About 13.60% of families and 18.20% of the population were below the poverty line , including 24.00% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over. Adams is a strongly Republican county. The last Democrat to win
220-507: A male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.63. The median age in the town was 51.6 years. 17.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 13.4% were from 25 to 44; 37.5% were from 45 to 64; and 25% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
264-561: A median household income of $ 63,105. Approximately 14.6% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line . Adams County has an estimated 62.3% employment rate, with 14.7% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 71.0% holding a high school diploma. The top five reported ancestries (people were allowed to report up to two ancestries, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (48.9%), Spanish (48.9%), Indo-European (0.8%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.5%), and Other (0.9%). The median age in
308-439: A wagon road. In the spring of 1853, Congress authorized a U.S. Army expedition , led by Stevens. It was made up of engineers and explorers ; they organized near St. Paul, Minnesota . They were to detail the geographical and topographical character of the country. Among them was a small, dark-haired young man, Lieutenant John Mullan; just a year out of West Point, he was anxious to prove his mettle as an engineer. Mullan
352-406: A workforce of more than 200, including civilian workers, surveyors , engineers , and soldiers who carved a 25-foot-wide (7.6 m) road across the region. After the difficult project was completed in 1860, floods wiped out substantial stretches of the road. It was re-routed in 1861. Floods again damaged the road, and ultimately, no provision for maintenance was provided. Although the road
396-513: Is a county in the U.S. state of Washington . As of the 2020 census , the population was 20,613. The county seat is at Ritzville , and its largest city is Othello . The county was formed out of Whitman County in November 1883 and is named after John Adams , the second President of the United States . Adams County's two most populous cities are Ritzville and Othello. Ritzville is located in
440-738: The Channeled Scablands region which extends to the north and west and the Palouse which extends to the south and east. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 0.69 square miles (1.79 km ), all of it land. As of the 2010 census , there were 208 people, 97 households, and 62 families living in the town. The population density was 301.4 inhabitants per square mile (116.4/km ). There were 126 housing units at an average density of 182.6 units per square mile (70.5 units/km ). The racial makeup of
484-706: The National Register in 1990. In 2009, the Point of Rocks segment in Montana was also listed on the National Register as part of the Point of Rocks Historic Transportation Corridor . As early as 1852 the US government began to think about building an overland route to the Pacific Ocean to help settle the area with pioneers and eliminate any claims that France , England or Russia had on
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#1732852764683528-406: The age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 22.9% were non-families, and 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 3.25 and the average family size was 3.71. The median age was 29.0 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 40,829 and the median income for
572-403: The average family size was 2.96. In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 28.5% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 28.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males. The median income for a household in
616-465: The county by over 40 points both times he ran. In other elections the results fare similarly. The last Democratic candidate for governor to carry Adams County was Clarence D. Martin in 1936. The last Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate to win the county was Henry M. Jackson in 1982. In the 2008 presidential election, John McCain received 66.32% of the county's vote. Meanwhile, Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi received 69.83% of
660-459: The county purchased a building from N.H. Greene in 1885. In 1891 the commission bonded $ 20,000 in order to erect a permanent courthouse. The building was built by the Spokane firm of Burnham and Clapp and completed by August 20, 1891, when it was accepted by the county. It was a two-story brick building with a four-story tower and a stone basement. A two-story addition was added to the front in 1905 with
704-517: The county seat. By 1885 the county offices were established, in a wood-frame house purchased for the purpose in Ritzville. The 1890 census showed that Adams County boasted 2,098 residents. The growing population justified a purpose-built courthouse, so construction began on February 23, 1892, for a two-story brick building with a tower and a basement. Wheat farming was a main focus of early residents. In 1909 Adams County proclaimed itself "bread basket of
748-511: The county was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 . It was one of only three counties in the state to be won by Barry Goldwater in 1964. Adams County's unbroken streak of Republican votes in presidential elections is the longest of any county in Washington. The Republican candidate has won by more than 13 points in every Presidential election since 1968, with margins of over 30 points in the seven presidential elections since 2000. George W. Bush won
792-486: The county was 29.0 years. Adams County, Washington – racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. As of the 2020 census , there were 20,613 people, 6,228 households, and 4,794 families residing in the county. The population density
836-419: The county was 62.49% White , 0.58% African American , 1.90% Native American , 0.67% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 31.50% from some other races and 2.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 59.26% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 16.4% were German , 6.8% were Irish , 5.6% were English , and 2.2% were American . Of the 5,720 households, 47.9% had children under
880-605: The county's vote. The county also gave Republican representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers 82.45% of the vote. Republican Sam Reed received 74.6% of the county's vote in his run for re-election as Washington Secretary of State , Republican Allan Martin received 67.25% of the vote for state treasurer, and Republican Rob McKenna received 76.28% in his re-election run for attorney general. All county positions for which candidates were affiliated with parties were won by Republicans. From Ritzville's designation as county seat in 1884 until 1892, courts were briefly held in rented space before
924-646: The disputed territories. Despite the Lewis and Clark expedition, little detail was known about the country. Isaac Ingalls Stevens , a West Point graduate appointed the first governor of the Washington Territory , was ordered to survey a route from the Missouri River to the Columbia River suitable for building a railroad . Stevens assumed the task, but also kept in mind that the route should be suitable for
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#1732852764683968-499: The ensuing increased agricultural production from irrigated crops, led to continual population increases. The population had increased by 12,500 from 1940 to 2010. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,929.802 square miles (4,998.16 km ), of which 1,924.989 square miles (4,985.70 km ) is land and 4.813 square miles (12.47 km ) (0.3%) is water. Adams County and Franklin County have
1012-736: The first Post Office in Adams County was established with Bassett as postmaster. The post office was taken over by T.C. Martin in 1894 who then opened the first store in Washtucna. The town was named after a leader of the Palouse people who was purportedly called "Washtucna." The first rail line into the area was completed by the Oregon Improvement Company in 1886, and shipped 30,000 bushels of wheat in its first five years. Several attempts at large-scale irrigation projects were attempted between 1892 and 1917, but all failed. Dry land wheat farming has persisted since that time. Washtucna
1056-724: The first half of the twentieth century, dropping by nearly five thousand from 1910 to 1940. In 1940 the courthouse was replaced by a three-story building, with a two-story jail at the rear. Construction was completed in December 1940. In 1943 the Federal government approved the Columbia Basin Project . It began impacting Adams County in 1946, when construction of the East Low Canal and the Potholes East Canal began. This work, and
1100-666: The floor of the coulee , Washtucna is at relatively lower elevation than the terrain that surrounds it. The floor of the coulee at Washtucna is roughy 1,027 feet above sea level, but the steep walls of the coulee quickly rise to 1,600 feet above sea level in places within a mile of the city center. Washtucna is located at the intersection of State Routes 26 and 261 ; about 65 miles (105 km) west of Pullman, Washington , 86 miles (138 km) southwest of Spokane, Washington , and 220 miles (350 km) east of Seattle , Washington . The Columbia Plateau Trail passes through Washtucna as well. The Palouse River currently passes within
1144-467: The highest per capita percentage of Latino residents in the state. According to the 2020 Census, the Latino population of the county is 13,120 or 63.65% of residents. As of the first quarter of 2024, the median home value in Adams County was $ 239,530. As of the 2022 American Community Survey , there are 6,304 estimated households in Adams County with an average of 3.21 persons per household. The county has
1188-541: The largest town in the Pacific Northwest and the capital of the new Idaho Territory beginning July 4, 1863. The Mullan Road helped Walla Walla become the largest town in Washington Territory by 1870, with a population of 1,394. The road continued to serve as an important route until the completion of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1883 provided faster and more convenient access to the region. From
1232-514: The northeastern corner of the county at the junction of I-90 and US 395, making it a popular stop for travelers. Ritzville is an hour's drive from Spokane . Othello is located in the southwestern panhandle of the county. The Governor of Washington Territory approved the proposed Adams County Articles of Incorporation on November 28, 1883. At that time Adams County and Franklin County were formed out of territory from Whitman County . The first County meeting (December 19, 1883) established Ritzville as
1276-454: The origin at Fort Benton, Montana , the Mullan Road proceeded: 46°46′8.3″N 118°12′22.6″W / 46.768972°N 118.206278°W / 46.768972; -118.206278 Washtucna, Washington Washtucna ( / w ɑː ʃ ˈ t ʌ k n ə / ) is a town in Adams County , Washington , United States. The population was 211 at the 2020 census , a 1% increase over
1320-539: The population. In terms of ancestry, 16.3% were of German , 6.2% identified as U.S. or American and 5.6% English ancestry. 57.0% spoke English , 41.7% Spanish and 1.2% German as their first language. There were 5,229 households, out of which 44.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.70% were non-families. 18.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who
1364-405: The population. There were 110 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and
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1408-424: The population. 34.5% of residents were under the age of 18, 8.7% were under 5 years of age, and 12.2% were 65 and older. As of the 2010 census , there were 18,728 people, 5,720 households, and 4,410 families living in the county. The population density was 9.7 inhabitants per square mile (3.7/km ). There were 6,242 housing units at an average density of 3.2 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km ). The racial makeup of
1452-467: The previous census. The town was named for a lake 12 miles from the town in Franklin County which was in turn named after a Palouse Native American chief. George Bassett, an Iowan settler homesteaded the future site of Washtucna in 1878 with his wife Alice Lancaster Bassett. Their goal was to raise horses , and until 1900 their ranch was the site of an annual roundup of wild horses . In 1882,
1496-672: The proposed addition in March 1905. Adams County Commissioners (Joseph M. Batten, Henry J. Allert and Fred Kembel) approved the new addition in May 1905. In 1905 the County courthouse was expanded. Work was completed in October 1905. Wheat producers in Adams County used dryland farming in order to overcome the relative aridity of the county's climate. They let the wheatfields lie fallow in alternate years, holding sufficient moisture to raise profitable crops. The county's population decreased significantly during
1540-401: The town was $ 34,688, and the median income for a family was $ 45,000. Males had a median income of $ 31,964 versus $ 33,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 17,487. About 16.2% of families and 20.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 29.8% of those under the age of eighteen and 8.9% of those 65 or over. Adams County, Washington Adams County
1584-486: The town was 57.2% male and 42.8% female. As of the 2000 census , there were 260 people, 110 households, and 72 families living in the town. The population density was 484.7 people per square mile (187.1 people/km ). There were 133 housing units at an average density of 247.9 units per square mile (95.7 units/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 96.15% White , 1.92% Native American and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.23% of
1628-403: The town was 95.2% White , 1.0% African American , 1.4% Native American , 1.4% from other races , and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population. There were 97 households, of which 18.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had
1672-423: The world," with Ritzville reportedly being the world's largest inland wheat exporter. 1905 - "A number of officials also appeared before the board [of county commissioners] and asked that an addition be built to the courthouse for the accommodation of the auditor and treasurer who require more room on account of the increase in business." The architectural firm of Preusse and Zittel of Spokane began drawing plans for
1716-409: Was 10.7 inhabitants per square mile (4.1/km ). There were 6,735 housing units at an average density of 3.5 inhabitants per square mile (1.4/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 44.46% White , 0.20% African American , 2.13% Native American , 0.65% Asian , 0.06% Pacific Islander , 35.35% from some other races and 17.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 63.65% of
1760-459: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.09 and the average family size was 3.52. In the county, the population was spread out, with 34.20% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 104.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.10 males. The median income for
1804-407: Was 8.0 inhabitants per square mile (3.1/km ). There were 5,773 housing units at an average density of 3.0 inhabitants per square mile (1.2/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 64.96% White , 0.28% African American , 0.68% Native American , 0.60% Asian , 0.04% Pacific Islander , 30.69% from some other races and 2.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 47.07% of
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1848-482: Was never heavily used by the military, it was an important conduit for civilian passage, which hastened settling of the northwestern United States. In the first year after completion, it was used by an estimated 20,000 people, 6,000 horses and mules, 5,000 cattle and 83 wagons. The discovery of gold in North Central Idaho in 1860 by Capt. E.D. Pierce contributed to this usage, making Lewiston, Washington Territory,
1892-505: Was officially incorporated on October 27, 1903, with Charles T. Booth as the first mayor. During the early 2000s recession , Washtucna faced a potential budget shortfall due to reduced state subsidies and poor wheat sales. Washtucna is located at 46°45'12" North , 118°18'46" West (46.753375, -118.312687). It sits at the head of Washtucna Coulee, a thin but deep valley that runs west to Connell, Washington where it merges with Providence Coulee to form Esquatzel Coulee. Being located on
1936-538: Was placed in charge of surveying, and later improving, a wagon route (now commonly called the Mullan Road) between Fort Benton ( Montana ) and Fort Walla Walla ( Washington ). Lieutenant Mullan, a topographical engineer, began gathering information in 1854. Delayed by the Yakima War which ended in 1858, construction began in 1859 from Fort Walla Walla in what was then Washington Territory . Lieutenant Mullan commanded
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