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Physical

Camas, Washington

Camas is a city in Clark County, Washington, on the Columbia River, long known for its giant paper mill.

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The idea

Camas is a city in Clark County, Washington, along the Washington side of the Columbia River. Its east side borders the city of Washougal, and its west side borders Vancouver. Across the river lies Troutdale, Oregon, and the whole city is part of the Portland metropolitan area.

The city is named after the camas lily, a plant with an onion-like bulb that was prized by Native Americans. One of its major landmarks is Prune Hill, an extinct volcanic vent that is part of the Boring Lava Field. That lava field is a group of old volcanic vents scattered across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Many bodies of water lie within the city limits, including Lacamas Lake, Round Lake and the Washougal River.

For most of its history, the business life of the city depended almost entirely on one huge paper mill. The mill even gave the Camas High School sports teams their nickname, the Papermakers. In recent years, high-tech companies such as Hewlett-Packard and WaferTech have brought many new kinds of jobs to the area. The city government, led by a mayor and council, manages services such as emergency services, public parks, utilities and a cemetery.

Check yourself

Question 1 of 3

Camas is named after what?

Pick one. The first pick counts.

Composition

what it's made of

  • Paper mill — The large mill at the west end of downtown, first set up in 1883, that shaped the city's economy for generations.
  • Prune Hill — An extinct volcanic vent and one of the city's major geographical features.
  • Lacamas Park — A year-round park around Round Lake, with trails to the Camas Potholes and the camas lily fields.
  • City government — An elected mayor and 7 elected council members who appoint an administrator.
  • Schools — The vast majority of the city is in the Camas School District.

Connection

how it relates

Under Lower Columbia Cities and Towns

In place

  1. Clark County, Washingtonstrength 90 of 100

    Camas is a city in Clark County.

  2. Columbia Riverstrength 80 of 100

    Camas lies along the Washington side of the Columbia River.

  3. Lacamas Lakestrength 80 of 100

    Lacamas Lake lies within the Camas city limits.

Related

  1. Igneous Rockstrength 40 of 100

    Prune Hill in Camas is an extinct volcanic vent in the Boring Lava Field.

Change

how and why it evolves

Past
With support from Henry Pittock, a paper mill was first set up in 1883, and the city was officially incorporated on June 18, 1906. In 1950, the Camas mill was the first factory to produce folded paper napkins.
Now
The 2020 census counted 26,065 residents, and as of 2026 plans to demolish the old mill were moving ahead.
Next
The mill area is expected to become a waterfront on the Camas Slough and an expansion of the existing Downtown District.

Knowledge you can walk. Read the idea, then step up, across or down.

Camas, Washington

Camas is a city in Clark County, Washington, on the Columbia River, long known for its giant paper mill.

See it on the map

Learn, discuss, create, buy or invest

The idea

Camas is a city in Clark County, Washington, along the Washington side of the Columbia River. Its east side borders the city of Washougal, and its west side borders Vancouver. Across the river lies Troutdale, Oregon, and the whole city is part of the Portland metropolitan area.

The city is named after the camas lily, a plant with an onion-like bulb that was prized by Native Americans. One of its major landmarks is Prune Hill, an extinct volcanic vent that is part of the Boring Lava Field. That lava field is a group of old volcanic vents scattered across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Many bodies of water lie within the city limits, including Lacamas Lake, Round Lake and the Washougal River.

For most of its history, the business life of the city depended almost entirely on one huge paper mill. The mill even gave the Camas High School sports teams their nickname, the Papermakers. In recent years, high-tech companies such as Hewlett-Packard and WaferTech have brought many new kinds of jobs to the area. The city government, led by a mayor and council, manages services such as emergency services, public parks, utilities and a cemetery.

Check yourself

3 quick questions, instant feedback.