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Cashmere, WA
Cashmere is a city in Chelan County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,248 at the 2020 census.
In 1863, a Catholic missionary, Father Respari, came to the area to convert the local Native Americans at a place they called N’tuatckom (the Marsh). On the east bank of tumbling creek, a mile upstream from its confluence with a rushing river, he built a one-room log mission. For 20 years he dedicated himself to his task before being succeeded by Father Grassi, who carried on his work. In 1881, Alexander Brender, a German immigrant, arrived as the first white settler and filed a claim in what is still called Brender Canyon. In 1889, a post office, identified as Mission, was established. When the Great Northern Railroad route was planned through Mission, the town was platted. Soon it was discovered that this name competed with several other towns named Mission in the state. At the urging of Judge Chase, the citizens changed the name to Cashmere, after the beautifully mountainous Vale of Kashmir in northwest India. The town was incorporated on July 1, 1904.
The City of Cashmere, the acknowledged geographical center of Washington State, is located at the foot of the picturesque Cascade Mountains. Dominating the view to the west is Mount Cashmere, rising to 8,500 feet. To the east flows the mighty Columbia River. The quiet peace of it’s rural setting with the surrounding forests of pine and fir and abundant populations of deer, elk, bear, coyote and native fowl is truly appreciated by local inhabitants. Cashmere is home to an internationally famous fruit candy, fruit packing and processing industry and a world-class historical museum. Those who live here are looking forward to a future that is as colorful and exciting as it’s past.
