Featured Businesses
Roslyn, WA
Roslyn, Washington, a small town in the Kittitas Valley, was founded in 1886 during a coal mining boom. The area was originally home to the Kittitas band of the Yakama Nation, who used the land for hunting and fishing. The town’s name, chosen by a Northern Pacific Railway official, reportedly honored a sweetheart from Roslyn, New York.
The discovery of coal in the 1880s transformed Roslyn into a bustling mining hub. The Northern Pacific Railway, seeking fuel for its locomotives, established the Northwestern Improvement Company to operate mines, attracting a diverse workforce. Immigrants from Italy, Poland, Croatia, and African American miners from southern states flocked to Roslyn, creating a vibrant, multicultural community. By 1888, the town had a post office and was incorporated in 1889.
Roslyn’s peak mining years saw a population of over 4,000, with 24 saloons and a lively social scene. The mines produced millions of tons of coal, but labor disputes, including a violent 1888 strike, highlighted tensions between miners and management. The 1892 arrival of the Knights of Labor and later the United Mine Workers improved conditions.
A 1920s decline in coal demand, coupled with a 1921 mine explosion that killed 45 workers, hastened the industry’s collapse. By the 1960s, mining ceased, and Roslyn’s population dwindled to under 1,000. The town pivoted to logging, agriculture, and tourism, capitalizing on its historic charm.
Roslyn gained fame as the filming location for the 1990s TV show Northern Exposure, boosting tourism. Its well-preserved downtown, with 19th-century buildings, is a National Historic Landmark. The Roslyn Museum and historic cemeteries reflect its diverse heritage. Today, with a population of about 900, Roslyn thrives as a cultural and recreational destination, offering outdoor activities and events like the Roslyn Farmers Market.
