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Douglas County, Washington

107 topographic sheets cover 43 settlements here, and 12 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

12 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Washington within the United States
Douglas County within Washington

What the record shows

  • 411 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 12 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 9 buildings, 1 structure, 1 district and 1 site.
  • 2 of the 12 listings were added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 43 populated places in this county; 43 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

12

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Badger Mountain Lookoutbuilding199090001915
William J. Canton Housebuilding198888000737
Columbia River Bridge at Bridgeportstructure199595000632
Douglas County Courthousebuilding197575001849
Downtown Waterville Historic Districtdistrict198888000629
Gallaher Housebuilding199575001848
Lutheran St. Paul's Kirchebuilding198282004209
Nifty Theatrebuilding199999000402
Pangborn-Herndon Memorial Sitesite197272001269
Christian Schmidt Housebuilding199494001432
Smith Hospital and Douglas County Press Buildingbuilding198989000402
Waterville Hotelbuilding198484000170

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

154 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 154 of them, burning about 477,041 acres. 44 started naturally and 3 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined61
Natural44
Debris and open burning13
Equipment and vehicle use9
Power generation/transmission/distribution8
Recreation and ceremony7
Fireworks4
Arson/incendiarism3
Firearms and explosives use2
Other causes2
Misuse of fire by a minor1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
7 September 2020Missing data/not specified/undetermined223,731 acresWashington State Department of Natural Resources HeadquartersPEARL HILL
11 August 2018Equipment and vehicle use76,817 acresSpokane DistrictGRASS VALLEY
26 June 2017Natural37,267 acresSpokane DistrictSUTHERLAND CANYON
8 July 2008Power generation/transmission/distribution15,023 acresSpokane DistrictBADGER MT
10 July 2015Natural14,768 acresSpokane DistrictWAGON ROAD
1 August 2008Missing data/not specified/undetermined12,513 acresWashington State Fire Marshal's OfficeSMITH LAKE FIRE
1 August 2012Missing data/not specified/undetermined12,500 acresWashington State Fire Marshal's OfficeCRANE ROAD
11 July 2020Missing data/not specified/undetermined9,330 acresWashington State Department of Natural Resources HeadquartersROAD 11

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1956 to 2025

50 of 50 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 50 reports for this county, causing no deaths, 2 injuries and about $1,198,500 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail16
Thunderstorm Wind11
Flash Flood8
Debris Flow5
Tornado3
Heavy Rain3
Flood2
Funnel Cloud2

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
September 2013Thunderstorm WindOrondo2 hurtTree fell onto mobile home that briefly trapped the occupants. Bedroom door was damaged and occupants had to crawl through an opening to the hallway to escape. Minor injuries were sustained to an adult female and a child.
July 2023Flash FloodMc Carteney$1,000,000U.S. Highway 2 closed with a debris flow and damage to the asphalt and guardrail at milepost 171.
August 2013Thunderstorm WindColumbia River$80,000Numerous trees and power lines were downed from thunderstorm winds across southern Douglas County. Two large trees, estimated to be two feet in diameter, were downed at Desert Canyons Lodge. In Orondo, three large trees, estimated to be two feet in diameter and 120 feet tall, were knocked into high voltage power lines starting a small fire. At least 50 apple trees across multiple orchards were also damaged from the high winds. In Waterville, two downed trees landed on houses along Poplar Street and numerous large limbs were on the ground throughout town.
July 2010Flash FloodWaterville$40,000no account filed
September 2013Flash FloodMc Carteney$20,000A flash flood deposited mud and rocks approximately two feet deep over Jameson Lake Road at Sulphur Springs Road. Damage costs were estimated.
June 2022Flash FloodBridgeport$15,000Several reports of water inundating roads, rocks on roads, and temporary closures in Bridgeport, including Raymond Avenue, 20th Street, and 16th Street.
August 2019HailWithrow$10,000Dime sized hail from a thunderstorm near Withrow produced crop damage.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindOrondo$8,000Downed power lines in several locations South of Chelan Falls.
July 2016Debris FlowBeebe$7,000A Newspaper reported multiple slides on McNeil Canyon Road with one shoulder washed out. In addition two cars and a boat slid several feet due to water flood waters coming down a driveway. This all occurred generally 6 miles east of Chelan, WA.
May 2015Heavy RainBridgeport$5,000A member of the public reported one inch of rain that fell quickly from a thunderstorm and caused some flooding of Bridgeport Middle School in Bridgeport, WA. Damage and debris left on roads in the vicinity of the school are what caused most of the damage costs.
August 2013Debris FlowWaterville$5,000Highway 2 at Pine Canyon was closed due to mud and debris covering the roadway for a period of time. The road was covered in six to eight inches of debris. The water dug three to four foot trenches within the drainage. The Douglas RAWS reported six tenths of rainfall in an one hour period.
June 2022Thunderstorm WindOrondo$2,000Downed wires reported near Lincoln Rock Road and Cascade Loop.
August 2019Flash FloodWaterville$2,000Water was reported over State Route 2 and flooding into an adjacent house east of Waterville due to thunderstorm heavy rain.
March 2016FloodEast Wenatchee$2,000Law enforcement reported two residents in the area that reported minor flooding of their property and homes 3 miles east southeast of Wenatchee, Washington. The extend of flooding or damage is unknown at this time of entry.
July 2019Flash FloodDouglas$1,000Flash Flooding caused mud to flow over Highway 2 east of Waterville. The road was fully blocked by mud for about one hour while highway crews worked to clear the road.
September 2013Thunderstorm WindBridgeport$1,000A tree was knocked down across a roadway. Time was estimated based off of radar. Damage costs were also estimated.
August 2019Flash FloodDouglas$500Mud and debris from thunderstorm heavy rain blocked State Route 3 miles east of Douglas.
September 2025Funnel CloudMc Carteney-Observer reported a funnel cloud near Soap Lake. No damage was reported. Location estimated from radar data and photo.
July 2023HailWaterville-Several reports of crop damage from hail and flooding between Waterville and Coulee City. Hail ranged from penny to quarter size in this corridor.
July 2022HailColumbia River-Hail report received via social media. Time estimated from radar.
June 2022HailOrondo-Quarter size hail reported. Observer also estimated wind gusts at 60 mph.
February 2021Debris FlowWaterville-The Washington Department of Highways reported a large rock slide on US-2 in Pine Canyon. The debris covered approximately 300 yards, which included many large rocks. The highway was closed from MP140 near Orondo to MP148 near Waterville. There was no known time of reopening the road at time of report.
August 2021Debris FlowWaterville-There was a rock slide, partially blocking a road near a golf course in Orondo, due to brief, heavy rain.
May 2020Debris FlowWaterville-A rock slide was reported by Washington State Patrol on Highway US-2 in Pine Canyon between Orondo and Waterville.
June 2019Funnel CloudPalisades-KING news reported on a funnel cloud photographed by a member of the public near Waterville. The photo showed a clearly defined funnel appending from the base of a nearby thunderstorm.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindBridgeport-A member of the public posted photos of two large fir trees toppled in Bridgeport. A newspaper report indicated 680 customers lost power in Bridgeport. Time of event estimated from radar.
May 2017Thunderstorm WindEast Wenatchee-A thunderstorm wind gust lofted a glass table top and shattered it near East Wenatchee.
July 2016Tornado (EF0)Mold-Two separate reports from the public, both with video, noted a tornado approximately 5 miles north northwest of Mold, WA.
June 2015HailDouglas-An emergency manager went through a thunderstorm on highway 97 south of Entiat. The storm produced moderate hail, heavy rainfall, and strong winds. Lightning ignited two new fires but the rainfall quuickly put them out.
June 2015Flash FloodWaterville-Law enforcement reported debris and rocks over highway 2 in Pine Canyon near milepost 145 and 146.
June 2015Heavy RainMansfield-A trained spotter reported 0.70 inches of rain that fell in 25 minutes along with pea size hail in Mansfield, WA.
February 2015FloodRock Is-An Emergency Manager reported that nearby Douglas creek flooded 2.5 miles up Palisades Road from Highway 28. It was additionally noted that the county public works were investigating clogged storm drains as a contributor.
July 2013HailSt Andrews-Hail fell along Highway 2 and St Andrews Road. Some wheat crop damage was reported, but the extent of the damage was unknown.
July 2000Thunderstorm WindWaterville-Pea-sized hail piled up to a depth of one inch on US Hwy 2 just east of Waterville.
August 1997Thunderstorm WindDouglas-72 mph gust from automated fire weather station
August 1997Thunderstorm WindWaterville-spotter reported 58 mph gust
May 1994HailBridgeport-Strong thunderstorms produced one-quarter inch diameter hail which lasted 40 minutes and severely damaged several apple orchards.
July 1994Thunderstorm Windnot stated-A thunderstorm produced wind gusts to 66 mph at Waterville.
July 2010HailWaterville Arpt-no account filed
July 2010HailLamoine-no account filed
July 2008HailLeahy-no account filed
July 2006HailOrondo-no account filed
May 2004Tornado (F0)East Wenatchee-no account filed
May 2004HailEast Wenatchee-no account filed
May 2004HailMansfield-no account filed
June 2001Heavy RainCountywide-no account filed
July 1992Tornado (F0)not stated-no account filed
June 1992Hailnot stated-no account filed
July 1991Hailnot stated-no account filed
August 1956Hailnot stated-no account filed

Mines and quarries

101 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 101 workings inside this county. 1 still produces and 100 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction73
Stone, Crushed/Broken15
Silica4
Aluminum3
Pumice3
Clay2
Stone1
Stone, Dimension1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Emerson Hanford PropertyStone, DimensionPast Producer
State Pit Ps-Do-101StonePast Producer
Coulee ChiefClayProspect
Wenatchee Clay MineClay, AluminumPast Producer
Coulee City DepositAluminumOccurrence
FarmerPumiceOccurrence
Hicks PitPumicePast Producer
Mcdonald Mine Clay DepositAluminumPast Producer
Moses CouleePumicePast Producer
Gladding McbeanSilicaOccurrence
Gladding, Mcbean & Co.SilicaOccurrence
PinnacleSilicaOccurrence
SpringSilicaOccurrence
Batterman QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
BrewsterStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Case QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Hollingshead QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Matthieson QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Qs-Do-184Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Qs-Do-21Stone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
State of Wa Pit #045b #1Stone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Sutor QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unnamed QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unnamed QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unnamed QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unnamed QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Unnamed QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Wagoner QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Bachelor PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Batterman PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Batterman PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Borrow PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Borrow PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Bridgeport Sand & GravelSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Campbell PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Coulee DampitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Dept of HighwaysSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Farrington PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Foster Creek PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Guessing PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Hart PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Hartl PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Holcomb PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Holcomb PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Holland PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Leslie PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Mccormack PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Nelson PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Orondo PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Palisades PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Palmer PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Paul PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Rank PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Rock Island PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Rocky Reach PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Sanford PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Schmidt PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Sharyer PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Sims PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
State Pit Qs-Do-140Sand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Trinidad PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed Pit OSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed Pit ElSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed Pit YSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Unnamed Pit AvelSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Wall PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Weakley PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Wilson PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every populated place in the county

43

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

The vanished settlements of Douglas County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.