City Of Tonasket

History:

Tonasket is a small community located along the eastern bank of the Okanogan River in north central Okanogan County, Washington. The City was named in honor of Chief Tonasket of the Okanogan Indians who historically used the present city site for an encampment. State Highway 97, the main north-south highway through central Washington, bisects the city on its way north to the Canadian border approximately twenty miles north. The City with an elevation of approximately 900 feet above sea level is bordered on the north by Siwash Creek and the south by Bonaparte Creek. The present population is estimated to be approximately 995.

The City, which has been the site of a U.S. Post Office since 1901, was platted in 1910 and incorporated in 1927. Tonasket serves as a hub for agricultural and forestry industries in north central Okanogan County. It is the location of three major fruit storage and processing facilities and the offices of the Tonasket Ranger District of the Okanogan National Forest. The city is also increasingly becoming a convenient jumping off point for visitors coming to the area to enjoy the myriad of opportunities for outdoor recreation in the surrounding areas.

Many descendants of pioneer families still reside in Tonasket and the surrounding areas and are interested in preserving and sharing the history of their heritage. As the hub of an area for all seasons, Tonasket would also like to take advantage of its resources by using them wisely and judiciously to the benefit of residents and visitors alike.