You’ll never guess the stories behind these six uniquely-named places in Washington State
The vast majority of place names in Washington State either have their roots in honors paid to early settlers and leaders, or are a derivation of Native names or terms. Prosser is named after an early settler by that last name. Yakima and Spokane are named after tribes that resided in those areas when settlers arrived. Tacoma is one of the many Washington locations named using an anglicized version of Native language.
Although many cities, towns and geographical features in the Evergreen State fall into one of these two categories, many other places have names with unique origin stories.
Unique WA place names
▪ Bucoda
Bucoda is a town in Thurston County that has a census count of fewer than 600 people. It was originally a settlement, named Seatco, reportedly a Native term for ‘devil’ or ‘evil spirit.’ Legend has it that the town was always a hotspot for hauntings, which helped to inspire the name. Washington’s first territorial prison was opened here. The Seatco Prison moniker only led to further negative connotations with the location.
The town was officially named by combining the names of three significant local investors, Buckley, Coulter and David, who ultimately decided a re-brand of sorts was necessary for the town’s success. Interestingly, the town has returned to its spooky roots in modern times with an annual haunted house-themed festival, Boo-coda, that runs from early October through Halloween.
▪ Index
The town of Index is in Snohomish County boasts a population of just under 200 people. The town is situated west of Mount Baring, which has a peak that looks like an index finger. The mountain was referred to as Mount Index until it was officially renamed in 1917.
When the town was incorporated in 1907, it bore the name of the nearby mountain. When the mountain was renamed, the town kept the name of Index.
▪ Lynden
Surprisingly, this Whatcom County city with over 16,000 residents is not named after a politician or settler as is so common. Instead, it was named by the first white woman living in the county. She chose the name by taking inspiration from a poem. It is said that she liked the name from “On Linden when the sun was low,” the first line of “Hohenlinden” by Thomas Campbell, but thought switching the “i” for a “y” would be prettier.
Medical Lake is a city in Spokane County with around 4,800 residents named after the lake it inhabits of the same name. When settlers arrived in 1872, Native tribes in the area spoke of the water’s healing properties, which the settlers began to believe in as well. It quickly gained a restorative reputation, becoming a tourist destination and resort town. It still holds healing resorts today.
▪ Plain
Washingtonians are known for their sarcastic sense of humor. The naming of Plain, Washington in Chelan County, which currently has over 7,600 residents, is proof of this characteristic going back generations. The community is located near the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and was originally called Beaver Valley during its time as a railroad town in the late 1800s.
But when a post office was being established, the postal service said the community name was too long. A more plain name was requested. The town responded to the request quite literally.
Soap Lake, in Grant County, is a highly-mineralized lake between Seattle and Spokane with less than 2,000 residents. When settlers first arrived, Indigenous tribes living in the area spoke of the lake’s healing waters. A small town in the area goes by the same name.
The high mineral content of the water creates a natural foam, which looks and feels like soap. Venturing into the water will almost feel oily, also due to the mineral content. Some believe that caking yourself in mud from the bottom of the lake, letting it dry and rinsing off in the lake to be a highly restorative ritual.
