Vader is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. The community began in the 1870s and was known under several different names during its early years. Vader was most recognizably known as Little Falls, after a waterfall on nearby Olequa Creek, until an official name change to Vader in 1913. The city's moniker has remained an issue, with unsuccessful votes held in the 21st century to convert back to Little Falls.
Incorporated under the name of Little Falls in 1906, the early town grew largely out of logging and clay manufacturing at the turn of the 20th century, growing to a population that was reported to have reached as high as 5,000 people, despite census records failing to support the numbers. The city became known as Vader, after an American Civil War veteran and resident, in 1913. In the 1910s, several fires decimated the sawmill and factory industries of the community which led to a decades-long decline to Vader's population and economy. By the 2000s, a lack of funding closed the local school and educational district.
In the 21st century, community efforts have been undertaken to rejuvenate the economic conditions of the city. Several projects began to highlight the logging history of Vader as well as showcase historic buildings, such as Old City Jail, and two National Register of Historic Places structures, the Ben Olsen House and Grace Evangelical Church of Vader. Two parks were created and the community has continued to hold an annual May Day Festival, first begun in the 1950s.
According to the 2020 census, Vader's population rebounded to a level not recorded since 1910.
Etymology
The community was platted under the name Kraft after Paul Kraft, a postmaster in Lewis County. The early town became known as Little Falls after the waterfalls of the same name on Olequa Creek. The name was changed to Sopenah by the Northern Pacific Railway after it refused to recognize the moniker because there was already a Little Falls, Minnesota. The townspeople were unsatisfied with the new name and petitioned the Washington State Legislature to change it to Toledo but several communities with that title already existed in the United States, not solving the concern over naming confusion. The dispute continued which was resolved by a compromise agreement to name the town after Martin Vader, a German resident, and American Civil War veteran. The town name was officially changed to Vader by the legislature on March 25, 1913. Vader later moved to California or Florida where a myth began that he did not care for the recognition; later reporting stated that he was proud of the honor.
Twice in the 21st century motions have been made to change the community's moniker back to its original name, Little Falls, due to a variety of concerns such as the name of Vader did not encapsulate the meaning of the town, or that the title of Little Falls would be more inviting from a tourism and visitor standpoint. The issue was added to the ballot in 2005 and 2015 to determine voter approval; both attempts failed. In the 2015 vote, 131 residents voted against the change and 73 in favor; costs over the change to highway signage was deemed a significant concern. The mayor at the time, Ken Smith, stated that Vader could remain a beneficial moniker considering the connection to Darth Vader of Star Wars.
History
Beginnings and 20th century
thumb|Downtown Vader, early 1900s
After Little Falls was formed, the town was considered one of the largest communities between Portland and Tacoma. The town was incorporated as a "fourth class" city under the Little Falls name on January 12, 1906; only one resident out of 78 voted against incorporation. The first mayor was W.R. Diley. During its peak between 1890 and 1920, Vader hosted over 40 businesses, contained two churches, and had a hospital. Along with a local newspaper, businesses included a bowling alley, an opera house, several saloons, and the Vader Moving Picture Theater.
thumb|Stillwater Lumber and Shingle Mill, 1913–1918
The seven Olson brothers, notably Ben Olsen of the Ben Olsen House, began the Stillwater Logging and Lumber Company; the company operated a sawmill in Vader beginning in late December 1907, at its peak employing as many as 180 men. Olsen also formed a partnership, the Little Falls Water Company, to supply water to the Little Falls community in the early 1910s.
thumb|Little Falls Fire Clay Company, 1895
The Stillwater lumber mill was purchased by Weyerhaeuser in 1914. Despite the facility having a fire suppression system in place by 1915, the mill burned down on the evening of January 11, 1916; damages were estimated between $30,000 and $100,000. The mill was rebuilt but burned down again on the night of September 1, 1918. The fire began from an explosion in the boiler room when new equipment was being installed. Though the plane mill and dry kiln areas survived, the loss of timber and a rail engine were substantial. Damages were estimated at $125,000; the mill had only $35,000 in insurance coverage. A formal announcement was made the following month that the mill would not be rebuilt. The Stillwater timber holdings were sold to the Winlock Lumber Company, however, Stillwater's logging operations were briefly resumed in March 1919. One attempt to rebuild the mill was announced in December 1919. The effort did not materialize.
The population may have reached as high as 5,000 residents during its peak though official census records dispute the claim. The Little Falls Fire Clay Factory was operational in the early 1900s. Manufacturing a variety of clay products such as bricks and sewer pipes, the plant shut down after it was destroyed during a fire in 1914. A new, but smaller clay production facility began in 1920 but another fire decimated the factory in 1925. Various disasters and loss of employment from the closure of the clay factory and sawmill led to a decline to the town.
21st century
thumb|Old City Jail, 2024
As part of a ten-year plan to rejuvenate Vader, the first cell phone tower was erected in the city in 2003. Additional efforts included the additions of parks, the creation of an historic walking tour, and the renovation of the downtown core which introduced elements to recreate the community as a 1910 logging town.
Vader celebrated its centennial in July 2006, intentionally delaying the celebration in hopes for a larger turnout and a more "party atmosphere".
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.
A water source for Vader is Salmon Creek, a tributary of the Cowlitz River.