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How did Goldendale, Washington get its name?

History

The site of Goldendale was first settled in the late 1850s by a cattleman named Mortimer Thorp. When two or three other families settled nearby, Thorp is said to have observed that ôthe area was becoming too populated,ö whereupon he moved his family north to the Yakima Valley.

ThorpÆs location was taken up as a homestead by Lyonel J. Kimberland, who later sold 200 acres to John J. Golden. After laying out a town site, GoldenÆs first move was to establish a church. A camp meeting in the fall of 1871 resulted in the organization of a Methodist church and naming the town ôGoldendaleö after John Golden's daughter, Dale.

An election in May of 1872 had established Rockland, now named Dallesport as the county seat. Historians are hazy about what happened next, but there are hints of a midnight ride with fast horses and the county records. In any event, the vote in 1878 established Goldendale as the new county seat.

On a hot Sunday in May of 1888, while most of the citizens were a few miles away at a picnic, fire broke out at the west end of Main Street. Fanned by the typical west wind, it jumped from building to building until most of the town was destroyed. As a direct result of the fire, the town was rebuilt from locally manufactured brick, and Main Street was widened by 20 feet in the business core.

Another noteworthy event in GoldendaleÆs young history was the hanging of Henry Timmerman û the countyÆs only public hanging. Timmerman was hanged by Sheriff Van Vactor after being convicted of the murder of his traveling companion in the east end of the county. Timmerman proclaimed his innocence to the end. Although the trial had been held in Oregon, he promised revenge on the town and citizens of Goldendale. The great Goldendale fire ignited the town five weeks later.
- Mindy B.

Where is the best place to eat in Goldendale, Washington and why?

Lance's Diner. Fast freindly home town service with a smile. Great food great prices. - Tiera B

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A2Z Computing Services, Inc. Announces The Acceptance Of Press Releases From Goldendale And Vicinity

Oakland, Maine - December 1, 2011 -- Matthew Hunt, President of A2Z Computing Services, Inc. the parent company of Hometown USA announced Thursday that they will begin accepting press releases from businesses, organizations and individuals for posting on HometownUSA.com. In an effort to populate their redesigned News and Events section with quality information of interest to local residents and visitors alike, the company will immediately start posting valid press releases for viewing by their visitors.