Ellensburg

Ellensburg sits near the junction of Interstate 90 and 82 along the Yakima River in the Kittitas Valley at 1,540 feet (470 meters) elevation. The streets connect a compact downtown with brick buildings, shops and the Central Washington University campus on the northern edge.

The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway in the 1880s brought rapid growth to the settlement incorporated in 1883. The town competed to become Washington's capital in 1889 but lost to Olympia.

The annual Labor Day weekend brings cowboys, visitors and vendors into the streets as the town transforms into a rodeo arena. The Clymer Museum displays works by painter John Clymer, whose Western scenes reflect the region's connection to pioneer times.

The downtown area is easy to walk, with parking available along Pearl Street and near the historic courthouse. The Kittitas County Historical Museum opens for visitors several days each week.

The annual rodeo established in 1923 ranks as one of the largest events of its kind in the state and draws participants from across the Northwest. Gallery One Visual Arts Center rotates exhibits by local artists in a renovated building from the early town.

Location: Kittitas County

Inception: 1883

Elevation above the sea: 470 m

Website: http://ci.ellensburg.wa.us

GPS coordinates: 46.99706,-120.54512

Latest update: December 11, 2025 22:28