Republic, Washington
| Republic, Washington | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 |
|
 Location of Republic, Washington |
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| Coordinates: 48°38′53″N 118°44′6″W / 48.64806°N 118.73500°WCoordinates: 48°38′53″N 118°44′6″W / 48.64806°N 118.73500°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Ferry |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.59 sq mi (4.12 km2) |
| • Land | 1.59 sq mi (4.12 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,569 ft (783 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,073 |
| • Estimate (2015) | 1,072 |
| • Density | 674.8/sq mi (260.5/km2) |
| Time zone | Pacific (PST) (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP code | 99166 |
| Area code | 509 |
| FIPS code | 53-57850 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1525005 |
| Website | City of Republic |
Republic is a city in Ferry County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,073 at the 2010 census, a 12.5% increase over the 2000 Census. It is the county seat of Ferry County.
Republic was founded by gold prospectors in the late 19th century. The Mining District of Eureka was established after gold was found on Eureka Creek. Philip Creasor platted a townsite to be named Eureka. Another strike was made nearby on Granite Creek. The Great Republic claim, found by Thomas Ryan and Philip Creasor on March 5, 1896, was the highest producer of gold. By 1900 the settlement was booming. A post office was established but postal authorities rejected the name Eureka because there was already a town by that name in Clark County, Washington. The citizens then decided to honor the Great Republic mining claim by proposing the name Republic. This name was accepted and the settlement was incorporated as a city on May 22, 1900.
Republic's prominence which was brought on by the gold rush started to fade, prospectors and those who supported the mining industry moved away - during the years between 1900 and 1910 – the town lost over half its population. Despite this, mining has continued to be an important part of life in Republic, as gold is still mined for in the mountains surrounding the town. Mining is celebrated in the local Prospector's Days, held during the second weekend in June, where locals honor their prospector roots by competing in mining and logging competitions, panning for gold, and watching an old west gun fight. Today, the town of 1,100 is mainly sustained by those people in surrounding farms and ranches, miners who work at the local mine, and tourists looking for a quieter, slower pace of life.
Republic is also the site of the Stonerose Interpretive Center and Fossil Site, famous for the Eocene fossils found in a 49 mya lake bed at the north end of Republic. At the Ferry County Fairgrounds, located three miles (5 km) east of town on State Route 20, is the Ferry County Carousel originally built between 1895 and 1900. Republic has many businesses that line Clark Ave (the main street through town) including Anderson's Grocery, which is over a hundred years old. The Kinross Gold company and Ferry County Memorial Hospital are two of largest employers in the County.
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Wikipedia