Ritzville () is a city in Adams County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,767 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Adams County. The city is part of the Othello, WA Micropolitan Area, which comprises all of Adams County, and is part of the larger Moses Lake-Othello, WA Combined Statistical Area.

History

thumb|Hauling Wheat to Mill, Ritzville c. 1908

thumb|Grain elevator, 2014. Wheat remains the key to Ritzville's economy.

The first settler in what would become modern Ritzville was William McKay in 1880. The town was named, however, after Phillip Ritz, who had settled south of modern Ritzville two years earlier. Ritz had come to Walla Walla in 1861 and established a large orchard just outside of town known as Ritz, which consisted of over 100,000 trees of all types, including many fruit trees and shrubbery. Starting in 1866, he worked extensively to establish a second transcontinental railroad. His orchard business entailed many trips across the country by wagon, these trips gave him great political contact and influence.

By December 1880, Ritzville's townsite had been platted by John W. Sprague on behalf of his company, The Northern Pacific Railway. In 1881, McKay built the first house on the townsite. The Northern Pacific grade was under construction in the vicinity, and McKay's home was used as a makeshift hotel for the workers and associated transients.

With the railroad came a new wave of settlers to the area. In the summer of 1881, McKay erected the first store, and the railroad built a depot nearby, which also served as a hotel, theater, and meeting hall. At that time, the fledgling village had a population of around 50, and the school consisted of a lean-to against a house. The town's water supply was the railroad tank because it was not thought that water could be found in the ground. The first religious services in Adams County were held in Ritzville in April 1882 at the McKay Home, and the First Congregational Church was soon organized. A church was built in 1885. The post office was established in 1883 by J.L. Johnson of Walla Walla. He also purchased McKay's store. Soon afterwards, many more businesses were founded. The town had begun to establish itself as a significant wheat shipping center within the Big Bend Country, and its growth continued steadily throughout the decade.

As the town's reliance on the railroad water tank became unsustainable, efforts were undertaken to locate an underground water source. Initial attempts were unsuccessful; however, a viable well was eventually discovered approximately east of the original town site. In response, most property owners agreed to relocate closer to the new water source, except for a large hotel, which was not feasible to move. Subsequently, water was also located at the original site, allowing the town to remain in place. By 1887, Ritzville supported a growing commercial and civic infrastructure, including three general merchandise stores, one drugstore, one saloon, two blacksmith shops, two lumber yards, two livery stables, one harness shop, two hotels, and a large two-story wooden schoolhouse serving approximately 100 students.

On June 6, 1888, a fire caused by a defective flue wiped out nearly all of the business section of town.

Climate

Ritzville experiences a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk). Annual precipitation averages 11.9 in (30.2 cm). The average temperature in January is , and in July it is . Annual snowfall averages just under .

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Ritzville had a population of 1,767. The median age was 45.2 years, with 20.4% of residents under the age of 18 and 24.2% 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 104.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 102.6 males age 18 and over.

The 2020 census reported 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

The 2020 census counted 778 households in Ritzville, of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.3% were married-couple households, 23.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 28.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

! Race !! Number !! Percent

|-

| White || 1,531 || 86.6%

|-

| Black or African American || 5 || 0.3%

|-

| American Indian and Alaska Native || 19 || 1.1%

|-

| Asian || 13 || 0.7%

|-

| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%

|-

| Some other race || 50 || 2.8%

|-

| Two or more races || 149 || 8.4%

|-

| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 126 || 7.1%

|}

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 1,673 people, 751 households, and 444 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 902 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.5% White, 0.1% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 2.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.7% of the population.

There were 751 households, of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.75.

The median age in the city was 48.1 years. 20.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.2% were from 25 to 44; 30.5% were from 45 to 64; and 23.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 1,736 people, 777 households, and 470 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,347.8 people per square mile (198.4/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 873 housing units at an average density of 677.8 per square mile (261.3/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 95.79% White, 0.35% African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.86% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.36% of the population.

There were 777 households, out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.4% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 21.7% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 25.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,560, and the median income for a family was $40,240. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $21,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,308. About 8.4% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.1% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Places listed on the National Register of Historic Places include:

  • The Burroughs (Dr. Frank R.) House
  • The Northern Pacific Railroad Depot
  • The Greene (Nelson H.) House
  • Ritzville Carnegie Library
  • Ritzville High School
  • Ritzville Historic District

The Burroughs House and the National Pacific Depot have both been ceded to the city and maintained as museums by volunteers.

The New Ritz Theatre was opened in 1937, designed by Bjarne Moe. It maintains the original architecture and seating arrangement for 400 patrons.

Ritzville hosts the largest annual rodeo in eastern Washington.

<gallery class="center">

File:Ritzville, WA — H.E. Gritman Building (2021-08-07).jpg|Gritman Building

File:Ritzville, WA - Carnegie Library.JPG|Ritzville Carnegie Library

File:Ritzville, WA - Ritz Theatre 02.jpg|Ritz Theatre

File:Ritzville, WA - Northern Pacific Railway Depot 01.jpg|Northern Pacific Railway Depot

</gallery>

Notes

References

  • An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, Embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin Counties. Spokane, Washington: Western Historical Publishing Company, 1904. Print.
  • Kirk, Ruth and Carmela Alexander (1990, revised 1995) Exploring Washington's Past: a road guide to history (Revised Edition), University of Washington Press, Seattle.
  • City of Ritzville official website
  • Ritzville - Thumbnail History, HistoryLink
  • Ritzville Heritage. Local history collections from the Ritzville Public Library and Adams County Historical Society.
  • A.M. Kendrick Collection at Washington State Digital Archives