By an act of the Territorial Legislature, Goldendale was incorporated as a city November 14, 1879. The City of Goldendale is a municipal government responsible for all laws, taxes, municipal improvements, and social programs for city residents. An elected city council adopts ordinances and establishes guidelines for municipal administration and services. The office containing records is that of the Municipal Clerk-Treasurer. (Source: Washington State Archives)
The incorporated City of Goldendale is located at the geographic center of Klickitat County, at the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 142, and is the county seat. It is also home to one of the largest public telescopes in the United States, at Goldendale Observatory State Park. The major local industries are farming, ranching, timber and recreation. Newspaper of record is the Goldendale Sentinel.
Area and Location
The amount of land area in Goldendale is 5.288 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Goldendale to Washington DC is 2363 miles. The distance to the Washington state capital is 132 miles. (as the crow flies)
Goldendale is positioned 45.82 degrees north of the equator and 120.81 degrees west of the prime meridian.Goldendale location: in south-central Washington, near the Oregon border. Nearby communities are: Centerville, Maryhill, Wahkiacus, and Klickitat.
Goldendale is a farming community, mostly wheat and alfalfa are grown, but barley and other crops are also produced. Many families are second and third generation farmers. For this reason it is a town rich in history and with strong ties not only to family but also to the land.
City offices
City Hall, 1103 S Columbus Avenue
Goldendale, Washington 98620
(509) 773-3771
Fax: 773-9171
E-mail:
Website: www.ci.Goldendale.WA.US
| Mayor and City Council | Term Exp. | Work Phone |
| - Mayor | 12/2003 | 773-3771 |
| Gwendolyn L.Grundei 1 | 12/2003 | 773-4262 |
| Mike Montanye 2 | 12/2003 | |
| Marty Dixon 3 | 12/2003 | 773-4796 |
| Gary Hoctor 4 | 12/2005 | 773-4246 |
| Steve Johnston 5 | 12/2005 | 773-6695 |
| Robbin Lee Bailey 6 | 12/2005 | 773-3303 |
| Tracy Hansen 7 | 12/2003 | 773-5822 |
Police and Fire Dept.
Police Department
P.O. Box 69
1103 South Columbus
Goldendale, WA 98620
Phone: 509 773-3771
Fire Department
P.O. Box 69
1103 South Columbus
Goldendale, WA 98620
Phone: 509 773-3771
Economic Development
P.O. Box 69
1103 South Columbus
Goldendale, WA 98620
Phone: 509 773-3771
Goldendale Mini Loan program provides small loans ($3,000 to $15,000) to individuals living within 40 miles of the center of Goldendale as a means to financially assis new or expanding businesses in the Goldendale area. The Goldendale Revolving Loan Program can provide $15,000 to $50,000 to foster the expansion or retention of local businesses.
Other business incentives are available through
Klickitat County Economic Development
131 W Court St, ms-ch-26
Goldendale, WA, 98620
509 773-7060
Email:
WebLink: http://klickitatCounty.org/business/
Goldendale Industrial Park
City of Goldendale
South Columbus, Goldendale, WA, 98620
(509) 773-3771
History of Goldendale
Goldendale has been a city ten years longer than Washington has been a state. In 1889, with a population of 500,000, the new state was admitted into the Union. The city was formed on land bought by John J. Golden in 1871 and platted as a townsite in 1872.
In l878 the county seat was moved from Rockland, now Dallesport, to Goldendale. The following year a wooden building was erected by public donation and served as the first courthouse. Trade and population increased rapidly after the county seat was established, and in 1879 and there were 36 business houses here, including The Sentinel, started January 1, 1879. The stage line from The Dalles reached here in 1877, and was later extended to Yakima and Ellensburg
The site of the present city of Goldendale was first settled by Mortimer Thorp in the later fifties. Mr. Thorp built a house and fenced in a tract of land close to where the Methodist church now stands. He was a stockman, however, and gave more thought to finding a favorable place for cattle-raising than to the possibilities of his location as a town site. Later he moved to the Yakima valley without ever having acquired title to the land.
After Thorp abandoned the claim, it came into the hands of L. J. Kimberland, who sold out, September 5, 1871, to John J. Golden. It was Mr. Golden's plan when he bought the property to lay it out as a town site and give to the rich Klickitat valley a suitable trade center and supply point. The next spring he sent a request to The Dalles for a surveyor (he was unable to procure one here), and had the town site platted.
The first move on the part of the founder of the new town was toward the establishment of a church within its borders. In the fall of 1871 a large and successful camp-meeting was held, as the result of which a Methodist church was organized in the settlement. Mr. Golden donated to it twelve lots as a building site, and four more were given to the minister. A short time afterward Rev. J.H.B. Royal, with the co-operation of the people of the settlement, built a parsonage. When the new building was completed the subject of naming the town was broached to a party of settlers, and the minister, noticing the numerous willows that grew in the fiat along the bank of the creek, proposed Willowdale, but a suggestion that it be named Goldendale after its founder met with general approval, and the town was named accordingly.
Area Attractions
Goldendale Observatory State Park
1602 Observatory Drive
Goldendale WA 98620
Voice: 509-773-3141
Fax: 509-773-6929
The Observatory is unique because it caters to the general public with programs for amateur as well as experienced star gazers. The facility is run by the Washington State Parks Department and provides visitors with the chance to look through the 24.5-inch telescope, one of the largest apertures in the USA available for public use. There is also a secondary dome which houses an eight inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflecting telescope. The Observatory offers tours and sky-gazing opportunities year-round. Call for hours.
Friends of the Goldendale Observatory
To view the Goldendale Observatory's website, click here.
Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks system includes more than 125 developed parks and covers about a quarter million acres. To make a reservation at more then 60 Washington state parks, contact Washington State Parks from May 15 to Sept. 15. For Information on Washington's 125 State Parks, call 800-233-0321, ext. camp 7 or click here.
Brooks Memorial State Park
Located 13 miles north of Goldendale, Wash., in the Simcoe Mountians, Brooks Memorial State Park is a 700-acre, year-round park dedicated to an area citizen, Nelson R. Brooks, who gained prominence in the past for his efforts toward providing an excellent road system in the community. The park features camping, fishing, picnicking and playground activities, as well as 9 miles of hiking/biking trails which lead along the Little Klickitat River.
Horsethief State Park
Some of the oldest pictographs in the northwest are found in the park, including the famous Tsagaglalal, or "She Who Watches" petroglyph. This area was a Native American village for centuries with the Wisham, Cloud and Lishkam Indians fishing with nets and spears between The Dalles and Celilo Falls. The lake came into existence by the reservoir created by The Dalles Dam. Horsethief Butte stands over the lake like an ancient castle, and is a popular rock-climbing location. The park also features boating, camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and is a great location for beginner windsurfers.
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