WAHKIAKUM COUNTY (wuh-Ki-uh-kuhm), the 2nd smallest county in Washington based on population, was created by the territorial legislature in 1854. The name comes from a Kathlamet Indian village located on the north bank of the Columbia River near the present town of Cathlamet. Chief Wakaiyakam, whose name the village took, is buried in Pioneer Cemetery in Cathlamet. Wahkiakum means "tall timber" in Chinook CATHLAMET, county seat of Wahkiakum County, got its name from the Kathlamet Indians, a Chinook tribe. The tribal name comes from the Chinook word "calamet," meaning "stone" and was given to the tribe because they lived along a stretch of rocky river bed. Cathlamet was sighted in 1792 by Lt. W.R. Broughton, while verifying Capt. Robert Gray’s reported discovery of the Columbia River. In 1805, the Lewis & Clark Expedition found the Kathlamet and Wahkiakum tribes living here during their Northwest Expedition and they camped at the present day Vista Park in Skamokawa where they traded with the Indians. James Birnie of Hudson Bay Company settled here in 1846 and named the area Birnie’s Retreat. The name was later changed to Cathlamet in 1851. Other communities in Wahkiakum County include Puget Island, Skamokawa, Grays River, Rosburg, and Deep River. Population: According to the April 2005 Population Statistics, the Wahkiakum County population is 3,901. Town of Cathlamet population: 565, Elochoman Valley Population: 922, Puget Island population: 798, Skamokawa population: 519, and Grays River/Rosburg/Deep River population: 1,020.
Wahkiakum Health & Human Services coordinate many essential services for the tiny southwestern county of Wahkiakum. Food Women, Infant and Children (WIC) food vouchers are provided to income-eligible women, infants and children under the age of…
The Grays River Valley Center provides many services to the local community. They offer the following services: Library & Computer Center Free Friday Night movies at 7pm. Food pantry Gymnasium Sewing center Exercise room Cafeteria Mayme…
Wahkiakum PUD offers payment arrangements and discounts to low-income disabled and senior citizens. It also offers funds for emergency utility assistance and rebates for certain purchases. Budget Payment Plans divide your annual usage into 12 equal…
The food bank provides emergency food to people in need.
This primary medical care center provides treatment and management for chronic diseases, urgent care, preventative health care, immunizations, prenatal care, well baby care and referrals for specialty services. You may be able to receive birth…