Richland
LOCATION
Richland is located in southeastern Washington, in the northern nook of where the Yakima and Columbia Rivers come together. Richland is easily accessed off of Interstate 182?this quickly connects to Interstate 82, which can be taken northwest directly to Seattle (approximately 200 miles) or south to Interstate 84, which runs east to Portland, Oregon (approximately 200 miles). The city of Spokane is about 130 miles via highway 395 which links to Interstate 90. The cities of Kennewick and Pasco, both within 10 miles of Richland, share this unique location (see below for details about these cities), which is known as the Tri-cities area.
ABOUT TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
The Tri-Cities airport is located in Pasco, approximately 8 miles from Richland. It is the third largest airport in the State of Washington, providing access to 3 major airlines. Richland also has its own small airport. Spokane International Airport is the next closest major airport, approximately 130 miles from Richland. Direct flights to Seattle, Portland (Oregon), Denver, and Salt Lake are offered. There is a train (Amtrak) station located in nearby Pasco.
Ben Franklin Transit serves the Richland/Kennewick/Pasco area with an extensive bussing system.
BRIEF HISTORY
Richland was inhabited by numerous Native American tribes who, for hundreds of years, lived on the abundant wildlife and vegetation that existed in this northern area of the Columbia and Yakima (formerly called Tapatett) River confluence. In the late 1800's, white settlers began to move in and the town, originally called Benton, was incorporated in 1910. The town remained very small until 1942 when the government identified Richland as the site for the Hanford Nuclear facility. Almost overnight, Richland became a federally run town filled with thousands of Hanford facility workers. In 1958, Richland was incorporated as a First Class city and became self-ruling, leaving behind Federal Government control. Today, though the Hanford environmental cleanup mission still employs many residents, the city is expanding its economic base and working to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of its surroundings.
POPULATION 38,708
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS AREA?
There are three major rivers that converge in this area?the Columbia, the Yakima, and the Snake?and these afford the town of Richland a remarkably beautiful natural setting, as well as abundant recreational opportunities. The surrounding area is rich with agriculture, including wineries, and wildlife. While its remote location offers these benefits, Richland and its two neighboring towns that make up the Tri-city area also offer extensive municipal and cultural services, and it is easy to access major interstates for travel to larger urban centers. This town is just right for someone looking for an escape from the cities, but not from the benefits of a well-established community.
Kennewick
LOCATION
Kennewick is located in southeastern Washington along the Columbia River, approximately 15 miles from the Washington/Oregon border. Kennewick lies between where the Yakima River joins the Columbia, and where the Snake River joins. It is the southernmost city in the Tri-city area that includes Richland and Pasco (see above and below for details on these two cities), both of which are within 10 miles of Kennewick. Highways 240 and 385 run through Kennewick, and both of these highways connect directly to Interstate 82 which can be taken northwest to Seattle (approximately 200 miles) or south to highway 84 which runs east to Portland, Oregon (approximately 200 miles). Also, the city of Spokane is about 130 miles via highway 395, which links to Interstate 90.
ABOUT TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
The Tri-Cities airport is located in Pasco, approximately 5 miles from Kennewick. It is the third largest airport in the State of Washington, providing access to 3 major airlines. Direct flights to Seattle, Portland (Oregon), Denver, and Salt Lake are offered. Spokane International Airport is the next closest major airport, approximately 100 miles from Kennewick. There is also a train (Amtrak) station in nearby Pasco.
Ben Franklin Transit serves Kennewick and the Tri-City area with an extensive bussing system.
BRIEF HISTORY
For many years the Native Americans spent their winters in Kennewick (which means "winter heaven"), catching the abundant salmon in the surrounding rivers. The first settlers came in the 1860's, and irrigation was brought to the area in the 1890's, which allowed agriculture to become an important part of this community. Industries that were established in the late 1800's included a creamery and a grape juice plant. The railroad came through during this time also, and Kennewick became incorporated in 1904. Growth was slow until the Hanford Nuclear facility was established in nearby Richland in the 1940's, and Kennewick then experienced rapid growth associated with the nuclear facility. Kennewick is currently the fastest growing of the three communities of the Tri-city area, which serves as distribution point for one of the major food-producing regions in the country.
POPULATION 51,696
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS AREA?
Kennewick is situated amidst three stunning rivers and as a result offers its residents a beautiful and wild natural setting that is rich in agricultural history and abundance. The area takes pride in the agricultural bounty that has resulted from managed water systems, rich soil, and the mild weather that characterize the area. Wineries have become established all over the area because of the high quality grapes that are produced. Because of its proximity to the partner communities of Richland and Pasco, Kennewick offers extensive municipal services, and many cultural and recreational opportunities including fishing, hiking, golfing, boating, and wine-tasting.
Pasco
LOCATION
Pasco is located in southeastern Washington along the north bank of the Columbia River, approximately 15 miles from the Washington/Oregon border. Pasco lies just upstream from where the Snake River joins the Columbia, and just downstream from where the Yakima River joins the Columbia. It is one of three communities known as the Tri-city area that includes Kennewick and Pasco (see above for details on these two cities), both of which are within 10 miles of Pasco. Interstate 184 runs through Pasco, and this links to Interstate 82 which can be taken northwest directly to Seattle (approximately 200 miles) or south to highway 84 which runs east to Portland, Oregon (approximately 200 miles). US highway 395 is also easily accessed, and this links to Interstate 90, for a total of approximately 130 miles to Spokane, Washington.
ABOUT TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
The Tri-Cities airport is located in Pasco, and is the third largest airport in the State of Washington, providing access to 3 major airlines. Direct flights to Seattle, Portland (Oregon), Denver, and Salt Lake are offered. Spokane International Airport is the next closest major airport, approximately 130 miles from Pasco. There is also a train (Amtrak) depot in Pasco.
Ben Franklin Transit serves Pasco and the Tri-City area with an extensive bussing system.
BRIEF HISTORY
Native Americans populated the Pasco area for many centuries because of the salmon and abundant wildlife that the three rivers brought, and also because of the mild weather. Louis and Clark came to Pasco and the Tri-cities area on their explorations up the Columbia River, and soon this unique conjunction of rivers became a travel hub for trappers and explorers, and later, gold miners. The railroad eventually came through the area and, in fact, Pasco, was named by an engineer who helped build the railroad and gave it the name of a town in Peru. Population boomed after the Grand Coulee Dam was built because it brought irrigation for agriculture and employment through the Hanford Nuclear plant. Today, Pasco has a diverse economic base due to ongoing successful agriculture, industry and trade supported by the Port of Pasco, a variety of large businesses, and the a wide variety of transportation services.
POPULATION 36,695
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THIS AREA?
Pasco residents enjoy the benefits of living near the confluence of the three magnificent rivers, including the stunning, natural beauty of the area, and abundant recreational opportunities. While it shares this beautiful setting with its partner cities of Kennewick and Richland, Pasco also houses the largest hotel and convention center in the region, as well as the Port of Pasco, which is a center of economic growth and industry opportunities. The warm weather affords year-round recreational activities including golfing, fishing, hiking, boating, and winery touring. Sports are an important part of the Pasco community, which has a professional hockey and baseball team, as well as the largest sporting complex in the area. And, like Richland and Kennewick, while there are obvious advantages to living in this relatively remote and beautiful place, it is easy to access the interstate freeways to reach a major urban area in a few hours drive.
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Schools in Tri-Cities, Richland, Kennewick and Pasco
