CogKnoSys

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Physical

Washougal, Washington

Washougal is a city in Clark County, Washington, on the north bank of the Columbia River, east of Camas.

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The idea

Washougal is a city in Clark County, Washington, on the north bank of the Columbia River. It is bordered to the west by Camas and linked to other cities by State Route 14. The Washougal River, a tributary of the Columbia, runs along the north side of downtown. Washougal is also the southernmost incorporated place in Washington state. Its summers are warm but not hot, and dry, giving it what scientists call a warm-summer Mediterranean climate.

The city's name comes from a Chinookan word whose meaning is disputed. The fur trader Alexander Ross wrote it down in 1811 as "Wasough-ally." Other early spellings included "Washougally" and "Wa-Shu-Go." Long before that, the area was home to the Watlala, a Chinookan-speaking people with settlements along the Columbia River. Later, between 1838 and 1841, English sailor Richard Ough built a home in what would become the town.

In the mid-to-late 20th century, Washougal became a bedroom community, a place where people live but travel to jobs in Vancouver and Portland. People fish for steelhead trout and salmon in the Washougal River, where both kinds of fish flourish. Early settlers also built a public school. It was claimed to be the first American school north of the Columbia River.

Check yourself

Question 1 of 3

Which explorers camped near the Washougal River in April 1806?

Pick one. The first pick counts.

Composition

what it's made of

  • Washougal River — A tributary of the Columbia that separates the city from neighboring Camas.
  • Parks — Angelo, Beaver, Campen Creek and Hathaway are four large city parks.
  • Parker's Landing — A river trading post built by David C. Parker's group of settlers, later overtaken by the new town of Washougal.
  • Schools — Most of the city is in the Washougal School District, and some parts are in the Camas School District.
  • Climate — A warm-summer Mediterranean climate, with summers that are warm but not hot, and dry.

Connection

how it relates

Under Lower Columbia Cities and Towns

In place

  1. Clark County, Washingtonstrength 90 of 100

    Washougal is a city in Clark County.

  2. Columbia Riverstrength 80 of 100

    Washougal sits on the north bank of the Columbia River.

Related

  1. Chinookan Peoplesstrength 60 of 100

    The Watlala, a Chinookan-speaking group, first lived in the area around Washougal.

Felt

  1. Lacamas Lakestrength 40 of 100

    Lacamas Lake is a popular place for Washougal locals to fish and water ski.

Change

how and why it evolves

Past
Lewis and Clark camped near the Washougal River in April 1806 on their return voyage. The railway reached the town in 1908, it was incorporated that November, and a textile mill opened in 1910.
Now
The 2020 census counted 17,039 people in the city, and since 2023 it has had a sister city, Zielonki in Poland.
Next
The city will likely keep growing as a home for people who work in nearby cities.

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

Washougal, Washington

Washougal is a city in Clark County, Washington, on the north bank of the Columbia River, east of Camas.

See it on the map

Learn, discuss, create, buy or invest

The idea

Washougal is a city in Clark County, Washington, on the north bank of the Columbia River. It is bordered to the west by Camas and linked to other cities by State Route 14. The Washougal River, a tributary of the Columbia, runs along the north side of downtown. Washougal is also the southernmost incorporated place in Washington state. Its summers are warm but not hot, and dry, giving it what scientists call a warm-summer Mediterranean climate.

The city's name comes from a Chinookan word whose meaning is disputed. The fur trader Alexander Ross wrote it down in 1811 as "Wasough-ally." Other early spellings included "Washougally" and "Wa-Shu-Go." Long before that, the area was home to the Watlala, a Chinookan-speaking people with settlements along the Columbia River. Later, between 1838 and 1841, English sailor Richard Ough built a home in what would become the town.

In the mid-to-late 20th century, Washougal became a bedroom community, a place where people live but travel to jobs in Vancouver and Portland. People fish for steelhead trout and salmon in the Washougal River, where both kinds of fish flourish. Early settlers also built a public school. It was claimed to be the first American school north of the Columbia River.

Check yourself

3 quick questions, instant feedback.