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Physical
Battle Ground, Washington
Battle Ground is a city in Clark County, Washington, named for a tense standoff between Klickitat people and Army soldiers.
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The idea
Battle Ground is a city in Clark County, in the state of Washington. It sits near the geographical center of the county, about 11 miles north northeast of the larger city of Vancouver. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers 8.68 square miles, and all of that area is land rather than water.
The city's unusual name comes from a standoff between Klickitat people and soldiers from the Vancouver Barracks. A group of Klickitats, unhappy with harsh conditions at the barracks, escaped and traveled north under the leadership of Chief Umtuch. An armed group led by Captain William Strong followed them and eventually found them near today's downtown. The two leaders negotiated, and the Klickitats agreed to return, but afterward at least one shot was fired, and Chief Umtuch was killed. Settlers then called the site Strong's Battle Ground, and the name was later shortened.
Two important state highways, State Route 502 and State Route 503, meet and cross inside the city. Every summer the community celebrates Harvest Days, a festival of events such as parades and a chili cook-off. Each year the city also sends a float to the Grand Floral Parade of Portland's Rose Festival, and in 2006 its float won the Sweepstakes Award.
Check yourself
Question 1 of 3
Where does the name Battle Ground come from?
Composition
what it's made of
- Parks — City parks include Fairgrounds Park, which hosts several ballfields.
- Schools — Almost all of the city is served by Battle Ground Public Schools.
- Buses — C-Tran buses link the city to Downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver Mall.
- Wineries — The city sits at the center of Clark County's growing wine industry.
Connection
how it relates
Change
how and why it evolves
- Past
- Augustus H. Richter first settled the area in 1886, and the city was officially incorporated on June 18, 1951. Its population doubled between 2000 and 2010.
- Now
- The 2020 census counted 20,743 residents, and the 2025 population was estimated at 23,513.
- Next
- The city will likely keep growing as more families look for homes outside the larger cities nearby.