Pasco, Franklin, Washington
In October 1805, Lewis & Clark set up camp in what is now the southeast part of Pasco. Today, Pasco serves as the hub in the region for air, rail and bus transportation. With a population of over 37,500, Pasco is the county seat of Franklin County, and is a wonderful combination of industry, agriculture, education and culture. Its’ name was given by Virgil Bogue, a construction engineer and railroad builder who had helped build a railroad in the Andes mountains near Cerro de Pasco in Peru. Pasco’s history is deeply rooted in rail transportation. The Northern Pacific Railroad brought the first settlers to what was then Washington Territory and Pasco was later founded in 1884 when a neighboring railway town relocated to what became present-day Pasco. This area was also the site of the initial railroad bridge crossing the Columbia River.
Pasco’s location near the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers has made it an ideal port for barges moving cargo. The rivers have also provided an ample supply of water for irrigation that allows for the huge agricultural areas surrounding Pasco to produce an extremely wide variety of high-value crops.
Pasco’s strong agricultural and industrial background have helped the city grow into the region’s agribusiness and food processing center. A rail yard constructed during Pasco’s early years still functions as a major rail hub.
Pasco provides the location for the largest open-air Farmers Market in the state. It is home to Columbia Basin College, and the Trade, Recreation and Agricultural Center (TRAC). TRAC events include multi-day equestrian shows, hockey games, trade shows, conventions, business meetings and rodeos which add to the quality of life for the region. Broadmoor Park Outlet Mall, winery tours, sports, cultural performance, religious worship, cultural multiplicity and educational innovations also contribute to make Pasco a great place to live.
From Tri-Cities Mid-Columbia Telephone Directory 2004-2005, published by Statewide Publishing, Kennewick, Washington. Page C4.
City of Pasco
This is the official Pasco site, created and maintained by the City of Pasco.
M.R.S.C. about Pasco
Current information provided by the Municipal Research & Services Center of Washington.
Wikipedia on Pasco
Wikipedia is a wonderful resource that is in encyclopedia format. Tidbits include date of incorporation and some demographics.
Detailed Profile of Pasco
City-Data is full of current demographics and statistics.
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