Moxee

History

Moxee was first settled by Mortimer Thorp and several French-Canadian farmers who arrived in 1867. A warm spring on the Thorp ranch emitted steam year round and never froze. It was known as "Moxee" by the native people, a Sahaptin word for an edible root, and the name was adopted for the settlement. Over time, the community has been variously known as: "Artesian", "Moksee", "Moxie", "Moxee City", and "Moxee." The sandy soil and mild climate of the region were ideal for growing hops used in the brewing of beer, and for growing grapes. By the turn of the century, the Northern Pacific Railroad had completed a railway line nearby and irrigation projects were being constructed making rich farmland available to new settlers. This attracted more French and French-Canadian farmers who had first immigrated to northern Minnesota and northern Michigan. A French school was established on La Framboise Road and masses at Holy Rosary Parish were said in French up to World War I. The town of Moxee City was incorporated on April 27, 1921. Street and road names in the vicinity, such as Charron, Faucher, Rivard, Beaudry, Desmarais, Robillard, Beauchene, Gamache, Champoux, Morrier, and St. Hilaire, continue to reflect Moxee's French-Canadian heritage. However, almost one-third of residents are of Hispanic descent today. In 2016, several homes near Moxie were evacuated because of the Range 12 fire, which ultimately destroyed over tens-of-thousands of acres in Yakima County.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Moxee has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Davis High School
  High · Yakima · 2,330 students · 18.9:1 ratio
• Eisenhower High School
  High · Yakima · 2,248 students · 23.2:1 ratio
• Selah High School
  High · Selah · 1,135 students · 19.6:1 ratio
• East Valley High School
  High · Yakima · 1,036 students · 24.1:1 ratio
• Selah Middle School
  Middle · Selah · 897 students · 20.4:1 ratio
• Franklin Middle School
  Middle · Yakima · 895 students · 19.5:1 ratio
• Wapato High School
  High · Wapato · 874 students · 18.2:1 ratio
• Wilson Middle School
  Middle · Yakima · 856 students · 19.9:1 ratio