You Won't Believe This Town Is In Washington
Found in the remote Methow Valley, east of Washington's Cascade Mountains, Winthrop is a small town with a big personality that you won't believe is in the Evergreen State. Named in honor of early Pacific Northwest explorer Theodore Winthrop, Winthrop was formally established in 1891. It saw booms and busts related to mining and logging, just like many other tiny frontier communities. It is worth noting that the town's current renaissance as a tourist destination is a testament to its inventiveness and tenacity.
Old Western Atmosphere
In terms of charm, character, and distinctiveness, a small community with Winthrop's remarkable topography, surprising climate, and use of an Old West aesthetic set it apart from other small towns. Many of these locations boast breathtaking landscapes or hold significant historical importance. There, the Wild West lives on, not as a theme park but as a thriving community that embraces its individuality. Winthrop's genuine Old West architecture is what makes it instantly recognizable and alluring. The town's main street, Riverside Avenue, is lined with hitching posts, boardwalk sidewalks, false-front buildings, and hand-painted signage.
But before the North Cascades Highway opened, offering the first road connection over the mountains to the west, Winthrop was simply another sleepy mountain community in the 1970s. Local leaders made the decision to reimagine the town as a destination in order to capitalize on the chance to draw tourists. With the help of locals, they worked with an architect who specialized in Western-themed designs to turn downtown Winthrop into a meticulously designed Old West streetscape. That commitment still stands today: all new buildings and improvements in the town center must follow the Western concept to guarantee Winthrop stays gloriously stuck in the 1890s.
Climate and Scenery
Winthrop is located in an arid valley, in contrast to much of Washington, which is renowned for its moss-draped trees and rainy sky. But it is Winthrop winters that grant visitors and locals a taste of Nordic culture. Although the area receives significant snowfall despite being dry for most of the year, the town is known for its network of Nordic ski routes, the largest in North America. It is easy to see why locals and visitors frequently use cross-country skis to get about town after a snowfall.
Winthrop is situated geographically at the meeting point of sagebrush steppe and breathtaking mountain scenery. The actual Methow Valley is a broad, open space bounded by angular Cascade peaks. For those looking to see nature up close in Washington, there are many hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and backcountry skiing trails within a short drive from downtown. Winthrop's position along the Methow River makes it an ideal location for fishing, swimming, and rafting adventures during the warmer months.
Indigenous Tribes
The Methow Valley has long been inhabited by the Methow, one of the major tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. They hunted, fished, and gathered along the rivers that ran through the beautiful valley for thousands of years.
Inevitably, in the late nineteenth century, European immigrants were drawn to the area by the prospect of gold, lumber, and grazing grounds.
Celebrations and Culture
Thriving for more than fifty years, few other smaller communities in Washington have upheld their reputation like Winthrop. Winthrop's celebrations contribute to its attractiveness among tourists. The Winthrop 49er Days, featuring a parade, live music, and a cowboy banquet, are a yearly celebration of the town's Western heritage. The town's passion for skiing and snow is celebrated during the Methow Valley Winter Festival in the winter. The town is also home to the Three Fingered Jack's, a traditional Western saloon that bills itself as Washington State's oldest legally permitted saloon.
Winthrop's commitment to fun and sincerity is arguably one of its funniest features. Although the Old West aesthetic of the town could easily come across as cheesy, Winthrop's residents take it seriously, but not too seriously. The town's residents are renowned for their warmth, love of preserving their unique character, and eagerness to share it with tourists.
No other little town in Washington can compare to Winthrop, where the terrain, climate, history, and sense of community all come together in a way that makes it much more than a novelty Old West village.
Winthrop provides a unique experience, whether it's the sight of a cross-country skier gliding down Main Street, the air scented with dried sage, or the untamed mountains encircling a cowboy parade. Its peculiarities represent a town that has embraced its history, geography, and special position in Washington's fabric; they are not merely for show.
