Page Contents for Buckley, Washington

Statistics & Facts

Location

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Historical Events

Chamber of Commerce.

Community events.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Washington state capital is Olympia.
The population of Buckley is approximately 4,510 (2004), 4354 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 1,396 (2000), 1591 (2010).
The amount of land area in Buckley is 10.012 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Buckley is 4.1 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0.113 sq kilometers.
The distance from Buckley to Washington DC is 2445 miles.
The distance to the Washington state capital is 43 miles. (as the crow flies)
Buckley is positioned 47.16 degrees north of the equator and 122.01 degrees west of the prime meridian.

Location

at the base of majestic Mt. Rainier next to the White River.
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History & History Related Items

When first founded in 1882, Buckley wasnamed Perkins Prairie. Once the Northern Pacific Railroad added tracks between Cascade Junction and Buckley in 1884, the railroad renamed the town White River Siding for the nearby White River. Finally, in 1888, the railroad continued its tracks to Stampede Pass. The town was again renamed. This time it was named Buckley after J.M. Buckley, the Railroad's Division Superintendent. Buckley was incorporated on 22 May 1890. The first Mayor was William Batholemeu.

Buckley is home to the Buckley Nursery (may have been renamed). The Buckley Nursery is where the PACIFIC GOLD PEACH was created. The first peach that could be grown in the Northwest climate, and actually produce peaches. It was developed by my Grandfather, William Schwab, who started the Buckley Nursery. The Buckley Nursery was also one of the companies hired to do the landscaping for the Seattle World's Fair 1960 (this date may not be accurate). As you drive east on hwy 410, just past the bridge crossing White River (for which the High School is named) to the south you can see a railroad trestle that was in the Elvis Presley movie, "Meet Me At The World's Fair". Buckley was originally called "White River Siding". It was one of the earliest settlements in Washington.

While Buckley was named Perkins Prairie , there was a big fight between Mr. Buckley (sawmill) and Mr. Perkins (another sawmill) over where the railroad tracks would be. They went to Buckley's mill but not to Perkins (even though the tracks went right past his home.) He left in a huff - the townspeople changed the name of the town. Later, tracks were also run past Perkins mill.

Here is a history page for Buckley.
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The incorporation of Buckley

1890

Attractions

Foothills Historical Society & Museum
P.O. Box 530
128 River Ave.
Buckley, WA 98321
Phone: (360) 829-1291

Take a look at some nice photos of Buckley.
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Buckley City Government

City of Buckley

Buckley has a Mayor-Council form of government.

Buckley Historical Events

2006, August
William Schwab developed a huge apple, the “Buckley Giant.” It was amazing, but too large to be commercially useful as machinery could not handle it for processing and shipping was not designed for such large fruits either. The apple became sort of a novelty and was not widely produced.

Grampa Schwab was a very sweet man and lived to be over 100 years old. When I was a girl, I would visit him often in his garden. He was also one of Seattle’s first fire fighters and was proud of a photo of himself as a young man standing by the copper barrel of a horse drawn fire wagon.
Submitted by granddaughter, Jennifer

Buckley Chamber

Buckley Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 168
Buckley, WA 98321
Phone: 360-829-0975

Buckley Community Events

June each year
The Buckley Log Show Street Fair
An annual event for the weekend with a parade and more.

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October each year
The Buckley Fall Festival Street Fair
An annual event for the whole family

Buckley Organizations

Buckley Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 168
Buckley, WA 98321
Phone: 360-829-0975 Buckley

Miscellany

The population of Buckley was:
1980 - 3,138
1990 - 3,516
2000 - 4,145
2001 - 4,330
2004 - 4,510 (estimated)