KLICKITAT COUNTY

KLICKITAT COUNTY is in the southern part of Washington, located almost in the center of the state east and west. The Columbia River bounds it on the south, the entire length of the county. Its early history is colorful. Bands of Indians roamed
at will, in all parts of the country, and droves of Indian ponies were everywhere.

The earliest settlers in the County, for whom a record is found, was Erastus S. Joslyn, who, in 1852, settled about one and one-half miles east of what is now White Salmon. He lived there with his family for some time, but was warned by the Indians to leave, and later, was driven out. A few years afterward, he returned, and lived there until 1874. He became one of the County's leading stockmen.

Klickitat County was organized in 1859. Rockland was its first county seat. Goldendale was made the county seat in 1879. It is still the county seat at the time of this writing.

The first Superintendent of Schools was John Burgen, 1867 to 1869. His salary was $25.00 per year!

Tall bunch grass grew everywhere, and Klickitat County became an important stock area.