Eatonville

History

For centuries, Nisqually people roamed the rivers and streams of the Eatonville area. Leschi, one of the main leaders of Nisqually was born in this area in 1808. In 1889, Indian Henry was one of the Nisqually who guided the town's Euro-American founder, Thomas C. Van Eaton, from Mashell Prairie to the present site of Eatonville. Legend has it that upon arrival Henry declared, "This is a good place. Not much snow." Area white settlers and the accompanying Nisqually were in need of goods, which "T.C." provided at his trading post. Supplies were carried by his stage from Spanaway over a rough trail through dense forest. In 1891, the settlers built the town's first school, which is still in use. For years Eatonville was a waypoint for visitors to Mount Rainier. In 1902, the Tacoma Eastern Railroad arrived, providing freight and passenger service and a vital link to Tacoma. Soon after the railroad's arrival, several small mills sprang up in the vicinity. In the 1970s, the Wildlife park of Northwest Trek was opened and it remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area, other than Mount Rainier itself. Eatonville was officially incorporated on October 28, 1909, after the Eatonville Lumber Company brought in more people to work in its mill. The mill closed in 1954. On April 27, 2014, an EF0 tornado briefly touched down and caused some minor damage near Eatonville.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, is land and is water. This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 F (22 C). According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Eatonville has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Eatonville High School
  High · Eatonville · 560 students · 21.5:1 ratio
• Eatonville Elementary School
  Elementary · Eatonville · 414 students · 15.9:1 ratio
• Eatonville Middle School
  Middle · Eatonville · 411 students · 17.9:1 ratio
• Weyerhaeuser Elementary
  Elementary · Eatonville · 359 students · 15.6:1 ratio
• ESD New Beginnings
  High · Eatonville · 40 students
• Mt. Rainier Parent Partnership
  Elementary · Eatonville · 11 students
• Eatonville Online Academy
  Middle · Eatonville · 6 students · 6:1 ratio
• Eatonville Developmenal Pre-School
  Other · Eatonville