Issaquah (pronounced /ˈɪsəkwɑː/, us dict: ĭs′·ə·kwâ) is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 11,212 at the 2000 census.
Based on per capita income, Issaquah ranks 25th of 522 areas in the State of Washington to be ranked.
According to the Washington State Office of Financial Management, Issaquah ranked 6th of 279 eligible incorporated communities in population growth between 2000 and 2005.[3] Forbes.com ranked Issaquah the 2nd fastest-growing suburb in the state, and the 89th in the nation.[4]
History
Coal miners' homes in Issaquah, 1913.
Issaquah is an anglicized word for a local Native American name, meaning "the sound of birds".[5] Another version of the name is said to have come from the pioneers, who, being impressed with the multitude of wetland birds, called the area Squak Valley. When the next wave of settlers came and asked for the name of area the Natives told them, "Is Squak."
The city was officially incorporated on April 29, 1892. Initially a small mining town, this town has changed noticeably both in its appearance and economic focus. Issaquah was originally developed to service the mining industry on nearby Squak and Cougar mountain, and began as the town of Gilman, Washington. As the mining deposits neared depletion in the late 1890s, other companies started to realize Issaquah's potential to support a lucrative lumber business. These companies exported timber from Issaquah and other small, local towns to Seattle and larger, rapidly growing communities throughout western Washington. These early boom industries, however, faded into a period of relative quiet by the time of the Great Depression. The town remained fairly placid through the succeeding decades, with The Boeing Company providing the majority of employment in the area. Microsoft and other technological industries moved into Redmond, Washington and other cities in the area, and later established operations in Issaquah itself. Both Boeing and Microsoft have significantly affected Issaquah's history, cultural development, and diverse population through their active community participation and attraction of outside residents. In June 1996, Costco moved its global headquarters to Issaquah from neighboring Kirkland, Washington. Boeing's first wooden seaplane was built by employees from Issaquah and took off from Lake Sammamish (located at the northern edge of downtown Issaquah).
Other Issaquah employers include Siemens Medical Solutions' Ultrasound Group, GoldSim Technology Group, Costco Wholesale, Overtime Technologies, Boehm's Candies, and Darigold.
Geography
Issaquah is located at 47°32′8″N 122°2′36″W / 47.53556°N 122.04333°W / 47.53556; -122.04333 (47.535573, -122.043298),[6], at the south end of Lake Sammamish. Neighboring cities include Bellevue, and Redmond, both a short 8 miles (13 km) away, and downtown Seattle 17 miles (27 km) to the West.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.4 square miles (21.9 km²), of which, 8.4 square miles (21.8 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.35%) is water.
Issaquah is surrounded on three sides by the Issaquah Alps: Cougar Mountain on the west, Squak Mountain to the south, and Tiger Mountain to the east. To the north of Issaquah is Lake Sammamish. Cougar Mountain contains many large residential communities, while Squak and Tiger Mountains have much smaller populations. Geologists have noted the chemical and geological content of these three mountains to be much different than that of the Cascade Range, simply because they are not volcanic in origin, while the entire Cascade Range is postulated to have formed from volcanic action. They believe that these three mountains are the remains of a much older mountain range long since destroyed by earthquakes, volcanic action, and shifting plates.
Weather
| Weather data for Issaquah, Washington |
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
| Record high °F (°C) |
61
(16) |
67
(19) |
76
(24) |
86
(30) |
96
(36) |
95
(35) |
98
(37) |
98
(37) |
101
(38) |
89
(32) |
73
(23) |
60
(16) |
101
(38) |
| Average high °F (°C) |
40
(4) |
44
(7) |
48
(9) |
54
(12) |
60
(16) |
65
(18) |
72
(22) |
73
(23) |
67
(19) |
57
(14) |
46
(8) |
40
(4) |
73
(23) |
| Average low °F (°C) |
30
(-1) |
32
(0) |
33
(1) |
36
(2) |
41
(5) |
46
(8) |
50
(10) |
50
(10) |
46
(8) |
40
(4) |
35
(2) |
31
(-1) |
30
(-1) |
| Record low °F (°C) |
-11
(-24) |
0
(-18) |
8
(-13) |
24
(-4) |
28
(-2) |
32
(0) |
37
(3) |
35
(2) |
29
(-2) |
20
(-7) |
2
(-17) |
-3
(-19) |
-11
(-24) |
| Source: Weather.com [7] 2009-09-02 |
Surrounding Cities
Demographics
| Historical populations |
| Census |
Pop. |
|
%± |
| 1900 |
1,007 |
|
—
|
| 1910 |
628 |
|
−37.6% |
| 1920 |
791 |
|
26.0% |
| 1930 |
763 |
|
−3.5% |
| 1940 |
812 |
|
6.4% |
| 1950 |
955 |
|
17.6% |
| 1960 |
1,870 |
|
95.8% |
| 1970 |
4,313 |
|
130.6% |
| 1980 |
5,536 |
|
28.4% |
| 1990 |
7,786 |
|
40.6% |
| 2000 |
11,212 |
|
44.0% |
| Est. 2007 |
23,363 |
|
108.4% |
| source:[8][9] |
As of the 2000 census[1], there were 11,212 people, 4,840 households, and 2,908 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,330.9 people per square mile (514.1/km²). There were 5,195 housing units at an average density of 616.7/sq mi (238.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.95% White, 0.88% African American, 0.63% Native American, 6.04% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.46% from other races, and 2.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 4.95% of the population.
There were 4,840 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 36.5% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $57,892, and the median income for a family was $77,274 (these figures had risen to $75,280 and $87,001 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[10]). Males had a median income of $55,049 versus $36,670 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,222. About 3.4% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Issaquah is bisected by Interstate 90, which runs from Seattle to Boston, and state highway 900, which connects the city to neighboring Renton. There is limited bus service by Sound Transit and King County Metro, but in general it is not easy to get around by public transportation in the area. There is a chronic traffic congestion problem on Front Street, which traverses the historic downtown. Proposals had been made to create a bypass, but opponents argued that this will only result in more sprawl in the area beyond downtown and thus in more traffic and pollution. In fact, the Issaquah City Council voted in 2008 to cancel the 15-year-running SE Bypass project. In addition, King County has no funding in its seven year capital plan to improve the Issaquah Hobart road, the southern terminus of the proposed bypass.
Since August 1995, the city, in partnership with King County Metro, provides a free bus that runs through all the major shopping areas of the town giving some relief to residents and those who wish to shop or eat at the many retailers and restaurants.
Issaquah Valley Trolley
Issaquah Valley Trolley car
The Issaquah Valley Trolley is a project by local residents to start a regular trolley service on the remaining section of railroad track in downtown Issaquah together with a northern re-extension of removed track to the southern tip of Lake Sammamish. Such service would both add to the charm of the historical downtown area and make it easier for visitors and residents to get around and avoid the area's notorious traffic congestion. A onetime goal had been to extend trolley service all the way to downtown Redmond by reinstalling the track along the eastern shore of Lake Sammamish that the county removed several years ago. The opening of the East Lake Sammamish Trail in March 2006 along that proposed line ended the possibility of Issaquah-Redmond service. As of August 2007, they have acquired several trolleys, though none of them are in operation. One is a narrow gauge trolley which is not compatible with the remaining rails left in town. It is unclear when, if ever, the trolleys will be placed into service either for tourism, or real transportation.
Local Attractions
The neighboring highlands are called the Issaquah Alps and feature hiking trails and outdoor activity throughout the three mountains surround Issaquah: Tiger Mountain, Cougar Mountain, and Squak Mountain. There are also many cultural and historical activities to be found in the town of Issaquah itself.
Salmon Days Festival
Salmon Days is a two-day International Award-winning festival held in Issaquah on the first full weekend of October each year. It is initiated by a parade, celebrating the return of the salmon to their birth-waters, and praises Issaquah's history, culture, and ethnic diversity. This free festival encompasses several arts and crafts conventions, attracting many Northwest artists; these artisans feature wood, glass, jewelry, paintings, pottery and metal artworks for sale in booths spread all across the downtown area. There are four stages of entertainment. Sporting events include 5 km/10 km runs (and a 3 km run for kids), a fencing invitational, bike rides, and a golf tournament. A "Field of Fun," providing free entertainment for children of all ages, is available thanks to the many festival sponsors. Visitors are encouraged to visit the newly restored Salmon Hatchery to view the returning salmon in close detail. The 2005 register revealed over 400,000 people attended the event.
Cougar Mountain Zoo
The Cougar Mountain Zoo is located on the north slope of Cougar Mountain, just to the west of Issaquah. This 8-acre (32,000 m2) zoo offers a glimpse at many endangered species from around the world, including many endangered birds from around the world and small lemurs from Madagascar. The highlight of the zoo for many observers is the cougar, named Nashi. Nashi is provided enrichment on a near-daily basis, which consists of a stimulant to keep him active mentally and physically. The zoo currently specializes in eight "worlds" of animals: cougars, lemurs, cranes, reindeer, macaws, wallabies, ratites, camelids. On June 16, 2007, another world was added to the list, when the zoo welcomed its newest members, two male tiger cubs. Named Taj and Almos, they are the only Bengal tigers in Washington state. The Zoo is open for general admission Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (excluding the month of December). Each December the Zoo also offers a special Reindeer Festival, during which people may come view, and feed Santa's Reindeer, and visit the "big guy" in person.
Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery was built in 1936 under the federal Works Project Administration. It is located on the Issaquah Creek within the city limits of Issaquah. The hatchery is owned and operated by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. It annually raises about 4 million Chinook (King) and Coho (Silver) salmon which then migrate from the Issaquah Creek to Puget sound and on to the North Pacific. Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH) is a non-profit organization that trains volunteer guides who lead free educational tours of the hatchery and advocates retaining and improving the historic hatchery. Local elementary schools often raise small numbers of salmon eggs that are spawned in the hatchery and release them into the creeks as part of their science curriculum on the salmon life cycle. The Issaquah Salmon Hatchery is located in the cultural and geographical heart of Issaquah and is the Department of Fish and Wildlife's most visited hatchery, with an estimated 350,000 visitors a year. [1]
Gilman Village
Gilman Village was created in 1972, when Marvin and Ruth Mohl started saving old, unwanted farming and mining buildings, as well as pioneer homes, from around Issaquah. They moved, renovated and combined them into an attractive retail area in a park-like setting. Their goal was to create a haven for independent shops and restaurants. Now, the 40-plus shops and restaurants that make up Gilman Village constitute one of Puget Sound's best known and most distinctive shopping destinations.
In saving the buildings, the intent was to honor the character and ambiance of the old community rather than to create a museum. Still, the buildings that house the shops and restaurants of Gilman Village represent a significant portion of Issaquah's history.
Designers of Gilman Village have included the Baylis Architects, Richard Haag Associates and landscape architect Stephen G. Ray. Their combined efforts have won official recognition by the King County Board of Realtors in 1976 and the Issaquah Design Commission in 1977 for quality of design and landscaping. In 1985, The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce presented the Eastside Quality of Life Award to Gilman Village for "the pleasures it gives through its rich discoveries of space and forms."
Flight
Issaquah is home to a premiere site where people fly paragliders and hang gliders from the heights of Tiger Mountain[11]. Many people fly year-round (weather permitting) and have flown epic cross-country flights exceeding 75 miles (121 km). [2][3][4] Also, there used to be a parachuting center and airplane landing strip in Issaquah on the site where the Costco, cinema, and other businesses are today. A helicopter in the Boeing Air Museum used to be where the T-Mobile store is now located.
Triple XXX
Issaquah, Washington restaurant, one of two remaining
Issaquah is now home to one of the remaining 2 Triple XXX restaurants that still exist.[citation needed] Triple XXX is famous for its Root Beer.[citation needed] It also serves burgers, chicken, and seafood.
Notable natives/residents
- Isaac Brock, lead singer, guitarist, banjoist and songwriter for Modest Mouse
- Jay Buhner,[citation needed] baseball player from Kentucky
- Cynthia Geary, American actress from Mississippi
- Ken Griffey, Jr., baseball player
- Margaret Larson, news correspondent for the news network NBC and vice-president of the non-profit organization Mercy Corps.
- Phil Lucas, documentary filmmaker
- Modest Mouse, indie rock band
- Patrick Monahan (of Train)
- Jeff Nelson, baseball player[citation needed]
- J. J. Putz, baseball player[citation needed]
- Nate Query,bass guitar/string bass for The Decemberists
- Rick Rizzs, sportscaster
- Mel Stottlemyre, Mariner's pitching coach from Missouri
- Ichiro Suzuki, Japanese baseball player
- Omar Vizquel,[citation needed] Venezuelan baseball player
- Colin Curtis, Issaquah High School alumni, Minor League baseball player for the New York Yankees.
- Paul Sorrento, former Seattle Mariners player
Issaquah School District
Issaquah public schools are under the jurisdiction of the Issaquah School District 411. Including schools outside of Issaquah, the Issaquah School District is home to 23 different schools.
Sister Cities
References
External links
