You’ll find Riverside, Washington along the Okanogan River, where steamboats once navigated trade routes in the early 1900s. This former commercial hub featured six general stores, the Occidental Hotel, and essential community buildings that served regional travelers and settlers. After the railroad’s arrival in 1915, river commerce declined, transforming the bustling port into a quiet ghost town. Today, the hilltop cemetery and scattered ruins hold fascinating tales of Washington’s pioneering past.
Key Takeaways
- Riverside became a ghost town after the 1915 railroad arrival ended its role as a vital steamboat trading hub.
- The town featured six general stores, the Occidental Hotel, and supported river commerce before its decline.
- Located at McLoughlin Rapids, Riverside was the last major stop for river freight in early 1900s Washington.
- Historic remnants include a hilltop cemetery featuring Frank Watkins’ grave and scattered industrial ruins.
- The site transformed from a bustling commercial center with 100-200 year-round residents to an abandoned village.
The Birth of a River Trading Post
While Indigenous peoples had long used the confluence of the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers as a gathering place, the British-Canadian North West Company established Spokane House there in 1810, marking the first fur trading post south of the 49th parallel in the Pacific Northwest.
The post’s strategic location tapped into established Indigenous connections, transforming a traditional fishing spot into a bustling trade center. David Thompson and Jaco Finley founded this pioneering establishment that became Washington’s first business. You’d find a year-round population of 100-200 people at the post, which swelled to 1,500 during peak fishing seasons.
As operations expanded by 1822, the site grew to include a store, warehouse, barracks, blacksmith shop, stables, and chief trader’s house. The fur trade flourished here as Indigenous peoples exchanged furs and horses for essential goods, creating a vibrant economic hub in the Inland Northwest. After serving the region for 16 years, the post was closed in 1826 and operations moved to Fort Colvile at Kettle Falls.
Gateway to the Okanogan Valley
The success of early trading posts like Spokane House set a precedent for strategic river settlements throughout the Pacific Northwest.
You’ll find Riverside’s historical significance deeply rooted in its role as a crucial gateway to the Okanogan Valley‘s agricultural transport network.
The town’s strategic location offered four key advantages:
- Direct access to steamboat navigation on the Okanogan River
- Position as a critical supply point for northern Okanogan County
- Gateway for agricultural products moving through irrigation projects
- Connection point between river and land-based transport routes
After 1900, when the region shifted from mining to farming, Riverside’s importance grew.
The Cariboo Trail provided a vital route for miners and cattlemen heading to British Columbia’s gold fields.
You’d see wagons laden with orchard produce and farming supplies crossing the steel bridge, while steamboats carried goods until 1915, when railroad development reshaped the valley’s transportation patterns.
F.J. “Pard” Cummings established a general store in 1898 that catalyzed the town’s development as a vital supply center.
Life Along the Riverbank
Living along Riverside’s riverbank in the early 1900s meant experiencing a vibrant blend of commerce and community life.
You’d find yourself amid bustling activity as steamboats and stagecoaches brought waves of travelers to the Occidental Hotel‘s lobby, where miners and locals gathered to exchange news and stories.
Much like the six general stores that once lined Ruby City’s streets, Riverside was a commercial hub serving the region’s needs.
The town’s rustic homes, adorned with roses and hollyhocks, provided a peaceful backdrop to the lively community gatherings in dance halls and saloons.
Seasonal rhythms shaped daily existence, from long summer afternoons to spirited night-long dances.
Life in Riverside flowed like a dance, following the steady beat of summer days and moonlit celebrations.
Essential institutions like the church, school, and hospital supported family life, while merchants, doctors, and farmers worked to keep the riverside community thriving.
It was a place where Cumberland descendants and pioneer families built their lives around the river’s ebb and flow.
Head of navigation for steam wheelers, Riverside became a crucial supply center for surrounding communities.
The Vanishing Commerce Era
Before 1915, Riverside stood as a critical trading hub where steamboats dominated commerce along the Okanogan River, serving northern Okanogan County and the Colville reservation.
You would’ve found McLoughlin Rapids marking the head of navigation, making Riverside the last major stop for river freight.
The steamboat decline began abruptly when the railroad arrived in 1915, triggering an economic shift that transformed the region.
Here’s what happened:
- River commerce vanished as freight shifted to rail transport
- Nearby Conconully lost its county seat status when bypassed by rail
- Trading posts and general stores saw their customer base dwindle
- The town’s role changed from bustling commercial center to quiet village
The transformation left Riverside’s once-thriving riverbank trade a distant memory, though weekend gatherings and square dances kept the community’s spirit alive. Similar to Riverside’s decline, the area known as The City of Smokestacks saw its major industries fade away, including its prominent smelter, barge works, nail works, and paper mill operations. In 1945, the area’s industrial decline was marked by the closure of Long Lake Lumber Company, ending decades of prominent lumber production.
Exploring Yesterday’s Remnants
Located seven miles north of modern-day Omak, Riverside’s remaining structures offer haunting glimpses into Washington’s pioneering past.
You’ll find the most prominent historic preservation site at the hilltop cemetery, where notorious outlaw Frank Watkins’ grave lies beyond the main burial grounds.
As you explore the ghost town’s foundations, you’ll discover traces of its early 1900s heyday when steamboats navigated the Okanogan River, making Riverside a crucial distribution hub.
Like the boarded-up houses visible at Eagle Mountain, most original structures have succumbed to decades of abandonment.
Similar to the mining office still standing at Nighthawk, several industrial remnants hint at the region’s resource-driven past.
While most original buildings have vanished, the site’s ghostly encounters and local folklore keep drawing visitors.
The cemetery’s mysterious atmosphere and scattered ruins tell stories of frontier life, lawlessness, and the boom-bust cycle that defined many Okanogan Country settlements.
Today, photographers and history buffs continue documenting these fading remnants of Washington’s frontier era.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Dangerous Wildlife Encounters Reported in the Riverside Area?
You’ll find wildlife safety concerns mainly involve deer-vehicle collisions near Highway 97. While larger animals like moose exist nearby, there aren’t documented dangerous animal encounters specifically in Riverside’s immediate area.
What Is the Best Season to Visit the Riverside Ghost Town?
You’ll find the best time to visit is early fall, when temperatures are mild and fallen leaves reveal hidden structures. Spring’s also great, offering clear visibility before summer’s dense vegetation takes over.
Is Camping Allowed Near the Historic Riverside Ghost Town Site?
While you can’t camp directly at the ghost town site, you’ll find designated camping spots within Riverside State Park nearby. Remember to follow camping regulations and only use gas stoves during the current burn ban.
Can Metal Detectors Be Legally Used at the Riverside Site?
You can’t legally use metal detectors at this site without special permission, as metal detecting regulations protect historical artifacts. You’ll need explicit authorization from landowners or managing authorities.
Are There Guided Tours or Local Historians Available for Riverside Visits?
You’ll find several guided tours available, including Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours and Riverside Entertainment’s walking tours. Local historians lead daylong Wild West excursions from May through September, sharing firsthand stories and regional folklore.
References
- https://okanogancountry.com/ghost-towns
- http://www.ghosttownsusa.com/okanco.htm
- https://nvtami.com/2023/11/07/ghost-towns-flying-monkeys/
- https://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~gtusa/usa/wa.htm
- http://www.ghosttownsusa.com/rside.htm
- https://www.historylink.org/File/20296
- https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/jan/14/fur-trading-and-tribal-history-will-be-featured-mo/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spokane_House
- https://parks.wa.gov/about/news-center/field-guide-blog/riverside-state-park-history
- https://www.historylink.org/file/9592
