Rosalia
Washington
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Town of Rosalia
History
Rosalia was started in 1872 and the establishment of the first post office in 1875 about two miles north of the Rosalia Original section of the current Town. A survey was made in 1873, but Rosalia is not recognized due to the Town residing in Stevens County which is now Spokane County. The office and the Town was named after Rosalia Favorite, the wife of the first postmaster Mr. Favorite. Mr. Favorite was only the post master for about a year or two, then J.M. Whitman. Mr. Whitman owned a small store which is where the post office was located. He also designated an area where travelers could get a meal and rest for the night.
In 1876, Samuel Gage opened a blacksmith shop across the street from Mr. Whitman's shop. These two businesses made up the community of Rosalia. The first buildings in Rosalia were constructed of lumber shipped from the mill about four miles west of Pine City. The same year the blacksmith shop started, the Donahoe brothers unearthed bones of a mastodon. This skeleton was bought by a private person in California then later shipped to Chicago where they were displayed in the Fields Museum.
The first school house was built in 1877 near the southwest corner of the Calhoun farm which was located four miles northeast of Rosalia. Miss Hawk was the first teacher. In 1882 the first schoolhouse was built in the current Town's location. This building was a box house construction, rough unpainted foot boards with battens over the cracks, less expensive than most farmers' houses. There was even a play given in this building by local talent.
The first child born in Rosalia was Oscar Schurra in 1887 with Raymond Leonard close behind.
The beginning of the twentieth century brick buildings began to emerge in the business district of Rosalia. These included The Turnley Building, Rosalia Hotel, Anderson Hardware Co, Fraternal Hall, the Bank of Rosalia, the Wilmer and Dwyer building, and the home of the Whitman County National Bank.
Rosalia's population increased with the coming of the railroad. Over the years Rosalia has seen increases and decreases in population, but has remained around 650 the last twenty years.
Rosalia was started in 1872 and the establishment of the first post office in 1875 about two miles north of the Rosalia Original section of the current Town. A survey was made in 1873, but Rosalia is not recognized due to the Town residing in Stevens County which is now Spokane County. The office and the Town was named after Rosalia Favorite, the wife of the first postmaster Mr. Favorite. Mr. Favorite was only the post master for about a year or two, then J.M. Whitman. Mr. Whitman owned a small store which is where the post office was located. He also designated an area where travelers could get a meal and rest for the night.
In 1876, Samuel Gage opened a blacksmith shop across the street from Mr. Whitman's shop. These two businesses made up the community of Rosalia. The first buildings in Rosalia were constructed of lumber shipped from the mill about four miles west of Pine City. The same year the blacksmith shop started, the Donahoe brothers unearthed bones of a mastodon. This skeleton was bought by a private person in California then later shipped to Chicago where they were displayed in the Fields Museum.
The first school house was built in 1877 near the southwest corner of the Calhoun farm which was located four miles northeast of Rosalia. Miss Hawk was the first teacher. In 1882 the first schoolhouse was built in the current Town's location. This building was a box house construction, rough unpainted foot boards with battens over the cracks, less expensive than most farmers' houses. There was even a play given in this building by local talent.
The first child born in Rosalia was Oscar Schurra in 1887 with Raymond Leonard close behind.
The beginning of the twentieth century brick buildings began to emerge in the business district of Rosalia. These included The Turnley Building, Rosalia Hotel, Anderson Hardware Co, Fraternal Hall, the Bank of Rosalia, the Wilmer and Dwyer building, and the home of the Whitman County National Bank.
Rosalia's population increased with the coming of the railroad. Over the years Rosalia has seen increases and decreases in population, but has remained around 650 the last twenty years.