Early Tumwater-
How did New Market become Tumwater?

When the Simmons-Bush party first arrived at New Market, it was still a part of Oregon Territory. The settlers soon saw the need for the huge area of Oregon to be divided in two sections. They sent a delegation to Congress to ask them to create a new territory that would include the land north of the Columbia River. Congress agreed, and in 1853, Washington Territory was created, named for our country’s first president. 

Washington Territory, around 1863.
MSCUA, University of Washington Libraries.

The little settlement of New Market quickly became an important place. The lure of the Deschutes River brought many pioneers. Gradually the town became known by the name Tumwater, a combination of English and a Chinook Jargon word meaning "noisy water." In 1869, Tumwater was officially incorporated. Nelson Barnes was the first mayor, and Clanrick Crosby became the town marshal.

This photo of downtown Tumwater shows businesses on Main Street.

Tumwater looked very different in those days. It was centered on the Deschutes River, and the area near what is now Tumwater Historical Park was the thriving downtown. Today’s Deschutes Way was once Tumwater’s Main Street. On one side of Main Street were shops, hotels, homes, and stores. On the other side, along the river, were water-driven industries, including flour mills, sawmills, and furniture factories.

In the 1950’s, the freeway was built through this area and buildings were either moved or destroyed. Today only the Henderson House Museum and Historic Crosby House remain, although a careful observer will see the stone foundations of buildings along the Deschutes River in Tumwater Falls Park.

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