Ritzville, small city, county seat of Adams County, Washington, USA
Ritzville is a small city in Adams County, Washington, located in the middle of the state's eastern wheat-growing region. The downtown district spans about three blocks and features brick buildings constructed between 1889 and 1920, including the railroad depot, a historic hotel, and the 1907 Carnegie Library.
Philip Ritz, a farmer, settled the area in 1878 and helped build the Northern Pacific Railway, which transformed the region. The town was officially laid out in 1880 by the railroad company, after which it quickly grew into a major wheat and freight shipping center.
The town's name comes from Philip Ritz, the farmer and railroad builder who shaped the early settlement. Visitors can still see the influence of German-Russian immigrants who arrived in the late 1800s and left their mark on the community's character.
The city is easy to reach by car and sits along the main road running through the center, providing access to other areas in the surrounding region. Lodging options are limited, so visitors should plan ahead if they need overnight accommodation.
The Carnegie Library survived heavy volcanic ash from Mount St. Helens falling on its roof in 1980 and has served the community for over a century. This resilience makes it a symbol of how the town weathered natural disaster.
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