You’ll find Krain’s ghost town remains near Enumclaw, Washington, where Slovenian and Austrian immigrants built a thriving mining community in the 1880s. The settlement featured a general store, church, school, and the popular Krain Tavern, supporting over 100 students during its peak. After mining operations faltered in the early 20th century, families departed for urban opportunities. Today, you can explore preserved mining artifacts, sealed shafts, and a 2.5-mile historic railroad trail.
Key Takeaways
- Krain was a thriving immigrant mining community near Enumclaw, Washington, established in 1881 by Austrian and Yugoslav settlers.
- The town prospered through coal mining and farming but declined when mining operations failed in the early 20th century.
- A devastating mine fire in 1894 contributed significantly to the town’s eventual abandonment and transformation into a ghost town.
- Today, visible remnants include a preserved coal cart, sealed mine shaft, and powerhouse foundation from its mining heyday.
- A 2.5-mile historic trail follows the old railroad grade, allowing visitors to explore Krain’s abandoned mining infrastructure.
The Birth of an Immigrant Mining Community
While coal mining opportunities emerged near Enumclaw and Green River in the late 19th century, a distinctive immigrant community took shape in what would become known as Krain, Washington.
As miners flocked to the coal-rich lands near Enumclaw, they founded a unique immigrant settlement that would shape Washington’s cultural landscape.
The immigrant stories began with pioneers like Math Malneritch and Joseph Paschich, who journeyed from California in 1881 via ocean and inland waterways. You’ll find that settlers came primarily from Austria and Yugoslavia, particularly Slovenia, drawn by the promise of affordable, fertile land and steady mining work. During the peak mining era, up to 85 percent of coal from the region was exported to San Francisco.
The name “Krain,” meaning “foot of the hill” in Austrian, reflects the settlers’ cultural heritage. Many Krain residents later sold their produce to the growing Franklin mining community, contributing to the local economy.
While men worked the coal mines, their families established farms and created additional income by selling produce to nearby mining camps, laying the foundation for a thriving multicultural settlement.
From Forest to Farmland: Early Settlement Years
The challenging task of transforming dense, old-growth forest into productive farmland marked the early settlement years of Krain.
You’ll find that immigrant challenges extended beyond mere land clearing, as Austrian and Slovenian settlers tackled the formidable terrain through strategic use of dynamite to remove stubborn stumps. Math Malnerich’s 320-acre purchase in 1881 exemplified the settlers’ determination to carve out a life from the wilderness.
To establish viable farms, you’d have seen these hardy immigrants draining wetlands and lakes while cultivating hay, vegetables, and profitable hops.
They didn’t rely solely on farming – many supplemented their income through coal mining, while women created additional revenue by selling produce to mining camps. The Krain Tavern became a vital social gathering spot for the hardworking settlers.
Their combined efforts gradually transformed the forest into a thriving agricultural community centered around the Sacred Heart Catholic Church built in 1889.
Life in Krain’s Golden Age
During Krain’s golden age, three essential institutions anchored daily life: the general store, church, and school. You’d find over 100 students attending classes while their parents tended to stump farms or worked in nearby coal mines. Similar to railroad towns like Govan, Krain developed around vital transportation infrastructure.
Women contributed by selling vegetables at mining camps, creating a resilient mixed economy. Like many locations requiring disambiguation guidance, multiple historical records exist about Krain’s exact boundaries and population counts.
The community’s social fabric thrived through various gathering spaces. You could attend community events at multiple halls, where dances and celebrations strengthened local bonds.
Community halls buzzed with celebration and connection, as neighbors gathered to dance, feast and forge lasting friendships.
The tavern, which evolved from an ice cream parlor, became a popular meeting spot, especially during Prohibition when it served as a bootlegging front.
At the strategic intersection of what’s now State Route 169 and SE 400th Street, the inn and restaurant welcomed both travelers and locals, cementing Krain’s position as a vibrant social hub.
The Town’s Gradual Disappearance
As coal mining operations began faltering in the early 20th century, Krain’s destiny took a sharp downward turn. Economic challenges mounted as coal prices fell and operating costs soared, forcing mines to lay off workers and eventually shut down.
Without alternative industries to sustain the community, you’d have witnessed a devastating chain reaction of decline.
The town’s population dwindled rapidly as families sought opportunities elsewhere, particularly in growing urban centers. Young residents left for education and better prospects, while those who stayed were primarily older citizens. The Welsh, English, and Irish immigrants who had once formed the backbone of the community gradually dispersed.
You can trace how this population decline led to neglected infrastructure, with abandoned buildings falling into disrepair and nature reclaiming the landscape. Much like the schoolhouse remains in Govan, these deteriorating structures stand as silent witnesses to the town’s former vitality.
Mining disasters in the region, including the tragic 1894 fire, further accelerated Krain’s transformation into a ghost town.
What Remains Today: A Heritage Preserved
Despite its decline into abandonment, Krain’s physical legacy endures through carefully preserved remnants that tell its mining story.
You’ll find a prominent coal cart displaying the town’s name, alongside a sealed 1,300-foot mine shaft protected by a heavy grate and concrete barriers. The foundation of the hoist powerhouse stands as evidence to the site’s industrial past, with overhead tracks still visible. A left fork trail leads to steeper views of the historical site. The mine’s tragic history includes the worst mine disaster in Washington State’s history.
Heritage preservation efforts include interpretive plaques detailing the tragic 1894 mining disaster, while community engagement shows in the well-maintained cemetery, where 7-8 headstones receive regular visitation and upkeep.
You can access these historical features via a 2.5-mile roundtrip trail following the old railroad grade, though recent reports indicate some areas are becoming overgrown, highlighting ongoing preservation challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Did the Locals Pronounce “Krain” and What Does the Name Mean?
You’ll find Krain pronunciation followed Austrian/Slovenian settlers’ softer, vowel-intense speech patterns. The name means “foot of the hill” in Austrian and references Carniola, a historical region many settlers called home.
Were There Any Notable Conflicts Between Mining Companies and Local Farmers?
You’ll find limited documented mining disputes between companies and farmers, though agricultural challenges arose when mining operations expanded, bought out farmland, and left environmental damage affecting remaining agricultural properties.
What Happened to the Original Mining Equipment and Infrastructure?
With 90% of mining machinery dismantled or destroyed during closures, you’ll find only scattered remnants today. Most equipment was deliberately demolished for safety, though some pieces remain in historical preservation sites.
Did Any Major Historical Events or Disasters Affect Krain’s Development?
You’ll find recurring fires destroyed essential buildings, while the mining boom’s end triggered economic decline. Nearby Franklin’s mine disaster killed 37 miners, and Prohibition turned your town into a bootlegging hub.
Are There Any Documented Supernatural Legends or Ghost Stories From Krain?
While you might imagine shadowy figures in Krain’s historic cemetery, there aren’t any documented Krain hauntings or local folklore in historical records, despite the town’s abandoned buildings and mining past.
References
- https://blackdiamondhistory.wordpress.com/2023/02/06/restaurant-and-cemetery-all-thats-left-of-krain/
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Krain
- https://blackdiamondhistory.wordpress.com/2016/10/26/founding-families-early-settlers-still-call-krain-home/
- https://stateofwatourism.com/ghost-towns-of-washington-state/
- https://patch.com/washington/enumclaw/bp–franklin-a-ghost-town-at-our-doorstep
- https://www.eskimo.com/~enumclaw/enumclawhistory/franklin
- https://www.blackdiamondmuseum.org/surrounding-towns/
- https://patch.com/washington/enumclaw/bp–early-enumclaws-neighbors
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krain
- https://everydayspokane.com/ghost-towns-in-washington-state/
