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Town of Waverly, Washington
by Evie Heinevetter
The town of Waverly is located on the north east side of Hangman Creek between Fairfield and Spangle. The first official post office was established in 1879, at the residence of A. D. Thayer, on Hangman Creek about a mile east of the present town site.
The first pioneers were Major Wimpy in 1872, Frank Dashiell in 1874, followed by Godfrey Richter, A.D. Thayer, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Hollis and Mr. Kienbaum. In 1884 C.P. Gimble opened the first general merchandise store.
In the early spring of 1898, activity commenced on the south east side of Hangman Creek. This new area was called New Town Waverly. The Washington State Sugar Beet Factory was built in this area. A dam was built across the Hangman Creek, as water was needed for the beet factory. A large brick structure was built to process the beets along with three large sheds for washing beets before processing. These large buildings were ready for operation in about 16 months.
Within a few months as many as fifty new buildings had been built on the south east side of Hangman Creek. New stores included a hardware store, harness shop, meat market, jewelry store, general merchandise and a millinery store. Two large hotels, two restaurants, a livery stable, barber shop, one physician, one real estate agent, one insurance agent and a bank were established. The main street was named Newport Ave. The town population swelled during this time. Old reports state that as many as 2000 persons were in town during the height of activity. The 1900 census lists 895 persons including, 186 Japanese farm workers.
The activity south of the creek lasted until about 1925. The sugar beet industry failed to be productive in 1912. There is very little evidence that once a thriving town was in this area. The factories inter workings were sold and the buildings demolished. The south side of Newport Ave. burned down in 1926 and the north side of the street burned down in 1928. The town was reestablished back on the north side of the creek where the present town now stands. The town has 127 persons living here in 2009. |
Old Fairfield Pictures
Old Latah Pictures
Old Mt. Hope Pictures
Old Waverly Pictures
