Cowiche (pronounced ''Cow-witch-ee'') is a
census-designated place and
unincorporated community northwest of
Yakima, Washington, near the eastern foothills of the
Cascade Mountain range, in central
Washington State (US). Cowiche, sometimes spelled Cowychee, is said to mean "footbridge between the valley and the mountains." According to the
2010 census, the town had a population of 428.
History
The first inhabitants of the area were the Tkai'waichash-hlama, a band or tribe of
Native American people who lived along Cowiche Creek. The area was settled in the late nineteenth century by farmers who relied upon crops that did not require
irrigation, such as
wheat,
barley,
rye
Rye (''Secale cereale'') is a grass grown extensively as a grain, a cover crop and a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe (Triticeae) and is closely related to both wheat (''Triticum'') and barley (genus ''Hordeum''). Rye grain is u ...
, and grazing
cattle.
Homesteading
Homesteading is a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. It is characterized by subsistence agriculture, home preservation of food, and may also involve the small scale production of textiles, clothing, and craft work for household use or sale. Pur ...
in Cowiche was difficult since fields had to be cleared of
volcanic rock before they could be tilled and there was little rainfall in summer. In 1906, construction began on the Tieton Irrigation Project, a division of the broade
Yakima Project Irrigation water became available in 1907, and shortly thereafter, orchards began to replace wheatfields.
Way of Life
Cowiche, along with the neighboring town of Tieton, is served by the Highland School distric
Highland School District / Homepage The community takes great pride in its high school sports programs, and in 1988 their varsity men's basketball team won the Washington State A division championship. The boys soccer team also won the state championship i
2006, 2007 & 2015
Most people in the area are involved in agriculture. Cowiche, like much of the Yakima Valley, is known for its
apple crops.
Points of interest
Cowiche Canyon
External links
Cowiche local community website
References
{{authority control
Unincorporated communities in Yakima County, Washington
Unincorporated communities in Washington (state)
Census-designated places in Washington (state)
Census-designated places in Yakima County, Washington