Welcome to Eastern Washington Windermere

PEND OREILLE COUNTY

County Offices
229 South Garden
Newport 509-447-2435
https://pendoreilleco.org/

Chamber of Commerce
325 W 4th Street
Newport 509-447-5812
https://newportareachamber.com/

The county is located in the northeast corner of Washington, along the Canada–US border. The county has a population of just over 13,000 that are spread throughout its 1,400 square miles. It is a very rural county that is surrounded by wilderness. The county seat and largest city is Newport. Residents live in more than nine rural communities and 3 small towns. It is the most recently formed of the state’s 39 counties. It is named after the Pend d ‘Oreilles native American tribe, who in turn were ostensibly named for large shell earrings that members wore when early settlers first came through the area.

Lifestlye

In Pend Oreille County, there is a unique blend of pioneer spirit, amenities, and small town hospitality. The location of the county at the Idaho and Canadian borders give it a unique position and serve as a gateway to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most enchanting landscapes and finest wilderness and  outdoor recreation areas. It is a popular region for hunting, game fishing, wildlife viewing, golf, winter sports or water sports. The region also has a rich culture and history. Historical museums and places of interest abound. The county has vast natural resources that early on allowed the timber and mining industries to thrive and they remain today among the region’s largest employers. Abundant and inexpensive hydro-electric power and the attraction of rural living have also begun to draw manufacturing businesses to the region.

Being outside is the key in the county and the cornerstone of recreation. There are 55 lakes within the county and thousands of acres of forest. Most of the county is dominated by the mountainous Colville National Forest. The Pend Oreille River is the main river in the county; it provides electricity and recreational possibilities. The rivers and lakes of the county are home for a variety of fish species and birds, such as bald eagles, geese, ospreys, ducks and herons. In addition, the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge is a 42,594-acre refuge that is located in the western part of the county. The refuge is located along the western slope of the Selkirk Mountain Range and is home for moose, white-tailed deer, elk, black bear and many other animals. Crawford State Park is a 49-acre park located near the Canadian border. The main feature of the park is Gardner Cave that is known for its stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone and rimstone pools. This cave is the third longest natural limestone cave in Washington State and extremely popular with explorers of all types.

Services

Quality educational opportunities are available in and near the county, underlined by excellent public-school districts and options for select private and parochial schools. Newport School District is a public school district in Pend Oreille County, Washington and serves the town of Newport as well as other areas of the county. The district offers classes from kindergarten to grade 12. For those seeking higher education, there are a number of online opportunities available from state and regional colleges and universities for students of all ages. Washington State University Pend Oreille County Extension connects the people of Pend Oreille County to the research and knowledge bases of the state’s land grant research university providing solutions to local problems and growing local economies.

Pend Oreille County Public Hospital District #1 is a municipal corporation established in 1921 and provides healthcare services to residents in the region. Located in Newport, the Hospital District owns and operates Newport Hospital & Health Services. Newport Hospital and Health Services provides expert care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The district also offers the Newport Health Center, a Diagnostic Imaging center (Radiology,) Physical and Rehabilitative Therapy services, General Surgical Services, Obstetrics Unit and Laboratory Services.

City

Newport
City Offices
509-447-5611
https://newport-wa.org/

Chamber of Commerce
325 W 4th Street
Newport 509-447-5812
https://newportareachamber.com/

The City of Newport, with a population of just over 2,300, is located on the Washington/Idaho border just west of the Pend Oreille River. Situated at an elevation of 2,160 feet, Newport is a true four seasons city. The town received its’ name in 1890 when it was selected as a landing site for the first steamboat on the Pend Oreille River. Just to the east of Newport there is the town of Oldtown, Idaho. There are no boundaries between two towns and the state line basically runs between them. Crossing the state line is as easy as walking down the street. This gives the community a unique feel.

Newport was originally designed as a walkable community, where residents could comfortable enjoy being in town. This can be seen today in the wide sidewalks, public benches and design of the community. The historic downtown is filled with traces of true Americana and the history of town is readily visible in its structures. Downtown is home to an old-fashioned grocery & ice cream parlor; residents enjoy entertainment in the vintage 1950’s movie theater with its traditional marquee.  However, residents and visitors alike can enjoy modern wine bars & tap houses, warm & sunny local restaurants, serving everything from local favorites to mouthwatering barbeque. Shoppers can stroll along the streets and find that special something in a unique shop or boutique.

With a location that is less than an hour’s drive north of Spokane, residents have easy access to transportation options, and this is seen each year with visitors traveling through Newport to ski resorts in both the U.S. and Canadian Rockies. In addition, outdoor enthusiasts don’t have to look far to find fishing, hiking, camping, hunting biking and any other outdoor activity in the nearby forests or on one of the many lakes and rivers in the area. Newport is a great place to call home, with everything residents need nearby.