Ephrata, Washington

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Location of Ephrata, Washington

Ephrata is a city in Grant County, Washington, United States. The population was 6,808 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Grant CountyGR6.

Contents

[edit] History[1]

Ephrata was officially incorporated on June 21, 1909.

Historically, the settlement of Ephrata is quite recent. There was no known settlement until 1886, just three years before Washington attained statehood. The horse rancher, Frank Beezley, was the first to settle near the natural springs, thus the area was known as Beezley Springs. As the climate and topography were not promising to settlement, the entire region remained sparsely populated until several federal congressional actions, including the Northern Pacific Land Grant Act, the Homestead Act and Desert Claims Act, encouraged the settlement of this semi-arid desert. Originally, Douglas County spread over the entire territory of the Big Bend of the Columbia River. In 1906 the Washington State legislature divided the county and created Grant County, designating Ephrata as the county seat.

It is generally believed that the city was named Ephrata by a man who worked for the Great Northern Railroad. The name Ephrata is derived from a biblical description of an orchard in the middle of the desert. It is also the ancient name for the town of Bethlehem.

The region was known at the turn of the century for the great herds of wild horses that roamed the land. Horse trading was an important element of the local economy, and Ephrata served as the staging area for the horse round-ups. The last "Grand Horse Round-up" was held in Ephrata in 1906. Ephrata then developed as a trade and service center for cattle and sheep ranches in the area until the construction of the Columbia Basin Reclamation Project.

Ephrata was in the national spotlight including a segment on 60 Minutes II after the murder of Craig Sorger by Evan Savoie and Jake Eakin. The two accused were the youngest defendents in state history to be tried as adults.[[1]]

[edit] Columbia Basin Irrigation Project

Beginning in July of 1918, several prominent Ephrata residents started the promotion of a wild scheme to redirect waters of the Columbia River in order to irrigate the dry but fertile soils of the Big Bend country. Labeled "The Dam University", Ephrata residents persistently lobbied at the local, state, and federal levels to gather support for the project. Initial funding for the Grand Coulee Dam was through the Public Works Administration created under Franklin Roosevelt's promise of a "New Deal" in 1933. However, the irrigation waters would not be released as the nation focused on ending World War II during the 1940's. During this era, Grand Coulee Dam's main mission was to produce electrical energy for the Hanford Reservation. When the War ended, the Project returned to its original mission, to irrigate the desert.

The Columbia Basin Irrigation Project changed the landscape and the economy. Since 1951 when the first irrigation waters arrived, the Project has expanded to irrigate over 600,000 acres. Over 60 different types of crops are now produced from Project lands, including many seed crops, making the Columbia Basin a vital component in world-wide food production. In the 1940's, subsequent federal projects continued to impact the region. An Army Air Base was activated at the Ephrata Airport between 1942 and 1945. The US Army established an even larger Air Base north of Moses Lake and about 15 miles southeast of Ephrata. Although Moses Lake became the major service center for the Larson Army Air Base, Ephrata experienced spill-over population growth.

[edit] Population Growth

The construction of the Irrigation Project and the military activity increased the population of Ephrata 689% between 1940 and 1960. As the federal projects phased out, the town experienced a devastating population decrease of 22% between 1960 and 1975. The population stabilized between 1975 and 1982, with a slight decrease between 1980 and 1990. The city has seen steady population growth since 1990. The present population is 6895. Three factors are expected to greatly affect future growth projections in Ephrata.

First, Ephrata remains a desirable bedroom community to the neighboring communities. Good schools, low crime, aesthetically appealing downtown, close central proximity to the major retail center of Moses Lake, and comparatively low cost of living, contribute to making this a community of choice. As the industrial base in neighboring communities continues to grow and prosper, so shall Ephrata's new housing starts and consequent population.

Second, there has been a sharp increase in new housing unit building permits issued by the City since 1990 and particularly since 1993. Forty-one residential permits were issued in 1993 and sixty-one in 1994; 1995 permits issued for new housing units numbered 94, of which 39 were manufactured homes. This compares with a low of three permits for the entire year of 1988. This surge in new home construction implies a growth rate exceeding the previous decade's growth. Projections indicate that Ephrata will continue to see a 3% per year increase in population.

A third factor that could greatly affect population and general economic growth in Ephrata is the development of the Port of Ephrata. With over 2000 acres of industrial and commercially zoned land, the Port Authority is the largest single landholder within the City of Ephrata corporate limits. Development on the port property has been limited due to the lack of infrastructure and buildings. The Port recently developed property for the first time in over 40 years. Grant County Public Works is building a 42,000 sq ft building. The development provided for three additional lots that have available water and sewer.

[edit] Schools

[edit] Elementary Schools

  • Columbia Ridge Elementary
  • Grant Elementary

[edit] Intermediate Schools

  • Parkway School

[edit] Middle Schools

  • Ephrata Middle School

[edit] Private Schools

  • New Life Christian School
  • St. Rose Of Lima Catholic School

[edit] High Schools

  • Ephrata High School
  • Sage Hills High School

[edit] Geography & Weather

Ephrata is located at 47°19′1″N, 119°32′53″W (47.316971, -119.548059)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 25.8 km² (10.0 mi²), all land.

Link to local weather information from the NWS Spokane Office (National Weather Service) – http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/otx/

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 6,808 people, 2,561 households, and 1,776 families residing in the city. The population density was 263.6/km² (683.0/mi²). There were 2,788 housing units at an average density of 108.0/km² (279.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.64% White, 0.40% African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 5.32% from other races, and 2.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.30% of the population.

There were 2,561 households out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,060, and the median income for a family was $43,500. Males had a median income of $38,571 versus $26,320 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,929. About 8.7% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.0% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ City of Ephrata website

[edit] External links

Municipalities and Communities of Grant County, Washington
(County Seat: Ephrata)
Cities Ephrata | George | Grand Coulee | Moses Lake | Quincy | Royal City | Soap Lake | Warden
Towns Coulee City | Coulee Dam | Electric City | Hartline | Krupp | Mattawa | Wilson Creek
Communities and CDPs Adco | Adrian | Banks Lake South | Beverly | Cascade Valley | Desert Aire | Lakeview Park | Lakeview | Mae | Moses Lake North | Ruff | Stratford | Trinidad | Wheeler | Winchester


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