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Cle Elum is a city in Kittitas County,
Washington, United States. The population was 1,755 at the 2000
census.The population is now estimated at 1,870
At the site of the future city, a Northern
Pacific Railway station was named Clealum after the Kittitas name
Tle-el-Lum (tlielləm), meaning "swift water", referring to the Cle Elum
River. In 1908, Clealum was altered to Cle Elum. The name was given to
the river, the city, and Cle Elum Lake.
Cle Elum was officially incorporated on
February 12, 1902.
Headed by John Bresko, Cle Elum was the
first to have 'organized' skiing west of Denver, Colorado. Starting in
1921, 100–400 people would be on the ski hill every weekend through the
winter. 1931 saw the largest crowd est. at 8,000 spectators for the ski
jumping events. The depression ended the skiing and jumping events in
1934.
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Douglas Munro grew up in Cle Elum. He served
in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. He was killed in
action while evacuating Marines during the Battle of Guadalcanal and for
his extraordinary heroism, outstanding leadership and gallantry, Munro
posthumously received the Medal of Honor, the only Coast Guardsman to
ever receive the military's highest honor. The Coast Guard Cutter USCGC
Munro (WHEC-724) was also named in his honor.
The town was also the birthplace of
astronaut Dick Scobee, the commander of the Space Shuttle Challenger on
the day of its explosion.
Cle Elum is located in Upper Kittitas
County. It is bordered on the north side by the Cle Elum Ridge and the
south side by the South Cle Elum Ridge including Peoh Point. The Yakima
River Runs through it and also Crystal Creek.
Cle Elum is located at
47°11′39″N
120°56′15″W / 47.19417°N
120.9375°W /
47.19417; -120.9375 (47.194293,
-120.937537).
According to the United States Census
Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.8 km² (1.5 mi²), all land. It
borders South Cle Elum and Roslyn.
As of the census of 2000, there were
1,755 people, 792 households, and 448 families residing in the city. The
population density was 1,182.8 people per square mile (457.8/km²). There
were 956 housing units at an average density of 644.3/sq mi (249.4/km²).
The racial makeup of the city was 95.16% White, 0.51% African American,
1.03% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.85% from other races, and 1.88%
from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.36% of the
population.
There were 792 households out of which
27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were
married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no
husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households
were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was
65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the
average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out
with 23.2% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44,
24.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The
median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males.
For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the
city was $28,144, and the median income for a family was $39,000. Males
had a median income of $32,750 versus $26,645 for females. The per
capita income for the city was $16,620. About 17.4% of families and
20.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of
those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.
- Cle Elum Telephone Museum - This
museum was established in 1966 when the Bell Telephone Company
deeded its former central office building to the Cle Elum Historical
Society. At that time Cle Elum became the last in the telephone
company's service area to be changed over from manual phone service
to automatic dialing.
- Suncadia resort- is a five star,
four season resort located on the west border or the city.
- Carpenter House Museum - A step over
the threshold of the Carpenter House is a step into the past. This
marvelous 1914 mansion, with its spacious rooms, tiny alcoves and
third-floor ballroom, holds the story of Cle Elum's first successful
banker and his family. High Country Artists shares this historic
house, and its art displays provide visitors an added experience.
- The Mines - Visit City hall (located
on the corner of Oakes Avenue and First Street) for information on
mine tours.
- The Coal Mines Trail- Following an
abandoned mining railway easement, this spectacular trail passes
several historic mining sites as it makes its way along Crystal
Creek and up to Roslyn, WA, also going by Rick Winter's house. This
generous walking path (former railway bed) has a gentle grade that
is suitable for almost all hikers, walkers and bikers.
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