Welcome to Eastern Washington Windermere

ADAMS COUNTY

County Offices
210 W Broadway
Ritzville 509-659-3228
https://www.co.adams.wa.us/

Chamber of Commerce
33 E Larch Street
Othello 509-488-2683
http://www.othellochamber.org/

Adams County is the 14th largest county in Washington state, and covers 1,925 square miles. Located in southeastern Washington, it is bounded by Lincoln County on the north, Whitman to the east, Franklin to the south and Grant on the west. Two-thirds of its population is rural as its low population density of 9.4 people per square mile indicates.

Lifestyle

Since its creation in 1883, the area has been known as an agricultural and livestock ranching area. Eastern Adams County is mostly dryland crops – wheat, canola, camelina, sunflowers, etc. The western portion of the county has a far more diverse agricultural base due to the presence of canal irrigation. In addition to its agriculture and livestock ranching, Adams County has some unique recreation and tourism draws. Othello hosts an annual Sandhill Crane Festival the third weekend in March, where thousands of bird watchers attend. The refuge is an excellent environment for wintering ducks, geese, and many other waterfowl. The Sandhill Crane Festival takes place at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and is supported by the Othello Chamber of Commerce. The refuge includes 23,200 acres immediately downstream from Potholes Reservoir, and another 6,000 acres of scattered tracts toward the Columbia River. Residents of the county enjoy a high quality of life that is punctuated by the small town living that makes up the basis of the communities throughout the area.

Services

Quality educational opportunities are available in and near Adams County, underlined by excellent public-school districts and options for select private and parochial schools. The local school districts use nationally recognized programs and detailed planning to ensure the highest education possible for students. For those seeking higher education, there are a number of local and online opportunities available from state and regional colleges and universities for students of all ages. Big Bend Community College is a comprehensive technical community college providing residents opportunities to pursue educational goals, improve knowledge and skills.  Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center is a regional center emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math with a focus on working together, communicating, creativity, and critical thinking.

With an array of health services, including clinics, pharmacies, dentists and hospital care, residents do not have to travel far for many of their medical needs. While Adams county may offer newcomers an environment of rural beauty, the county healthcare services are highly developed. Serving the community’s health needs is East Adams Rural Healthcare. This is a twenty bed Critical Access hospital located in Ritzville. Adams County Public Hospital District #2 operates the hospital, as well as the Ritzville and Washtucna Medical Clinics. In addition The Othello Community Hospital is a 49 bed, full service community hospital that offers all of the programs that residents need.

Communities

Othello
City Offices
509-488-5686
https://www.othellowa.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
509-488-2683
http://www.othellochamber.org/

Othello is located at the southern end of the Coulee Corridor National Scenic Byway. A 150-mile Byway on State routes 17 and 155, it passes through 5 parks and 7 wildlife areas along its route. Museums, arts and crafts, a farmer’s market and city parks provide a selection of things to do for residents. Outside of town, Othello is surrounded by one of the most diverse recreation areas in Eastern Washington. More than 50 nearby lakes provide water sports opportunities as well as great fishing. Hunting and camping areas abound. Residents enjoy unequaled panoramic views.

Othello offers a wide variety of restaurants and more within a mile’s radius. Many food options in Othello are sourced from local suppliers. The City of Othello has five parks, Kiwanis, PJ Taggares, Lions, Pioneer, and Triangle. Othello’s largest park is Lions Park Athletic Complex and Dan Dever Memorial Skate Park. This park features a paved walk, arboretum, street hockey rink, a handball wall, a large playground area with several types of equipment, four lighted tennis courts, two full size lighted basketball courts and three restroom facilities. The city is also home to the Othello community pool, the facility features 7,275 square feet of water recreation, zero depth wading pool with water toys, a 1,100 square foot lazy river, a 155 foot self-contained slide and a lap pool. Residents enjoy a high quality of life that is enhanced by the small town feel of this rural community.

Ritzville    
City Offices
509-659-1930
https://www.cityofritzville.com/

Chamber of Commerce
509-659-1936
https://www.ritzvillechamber.com/

Ritzville is located at the intersection of Interstate 90 and U.S. 395, the major east-west and north-south routes of eastern Washington. It is about an hour drive from Spokane, Moses Lake and the Tri-Cities. Ritzville has always been an agriculturally based community.  The agricultural industry of the Ritzville area is dominated by dry land production of small cereal grains, primarily wheat and barley. However, other products such as canola, grass seed, livestock and alfalfa hay are grown.  Servicing the farming industry makes up the majority of Ritzville’s economy.

Residents can enjoy the historic downtown district of Ritzville. Several blocks have been designated as a National Historic District. Two museums are situated in this district. The Northern Pacific Railway Depot, built in 1910, is a historical repository of Ritzville memorabilia and the Dr. Frank R. Burroughs’ Home, as well as the Ritzville Public Library, the N. H. Greene mansion and the Zion-Philadelphia United Church of Christ are also on the National Historic Register. The Ritzville Public Library carries the distinction of being one of the few Carnegie libraries in the state that is still a working library.
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Local Sports are a big part of life in Ritzville with strong support for local school athletes. In addition, there are leagues include softball, Little League, golf and bowling. Residents can enjoy a nice walk or run along the three mile Ritzville walking path. In the summer residents can enjoy the Ritzville Water Park. Across the street from the water park are the tennis courts and on the other side of the water park is the PGA recognized nine-hole municipal golf course. Hunting and fishing are also popular local pastimes with almost a dozen lakes located within an hour of the community. Residents also enjoy a wide range of shopping and dining options throughout the community. Ritzville may be small, but its residents enjoy a high quality of life.
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