Hunters Washington

  James Hunter was the first permanent settler at the site of Hunters in 1880.  One day, Charlie White who had a business selling merchandise from his wagon, got stuck in the mud on James Hunters spread.  People came down to the wagon to get supplies.  Knowing a good thing when he saw it, James Hunter set up a cabin for White.  By 1885 Will Hamilton hosted the first post office in his home and by 1890 Frank Donnelly and Mr. Smith opened a full-time store.  The town of Hunters was platted in 1890.  Lots sold for $5 to $25.  Soon there was a livery stable, a hotel, pool hall and ice cream parlor, and a barber shop.
  One boon to the economy was the Cleveland Mine that opened up in 1894.  The tour point Hunters Waterworks is on the road to that mine.  Of note is that the ore from that mine has trace amounts of arsenic and that continues to be a concern with Hunters water, although no one in town exhibits symptoms.
  By 1895 there was a cable ferry across the river that operated until 1936, when Lake Roosevelt was formed.
  Another big factor in the economy was the creamery.  The creamery(s) grew in importance, a truck from the creamery would pick up milk on the way to deliver butter at Fort Wright in Spokane and drop off checks.  It would also drop off supplies coming back to town.  Commercial boats of many kinds ran up and down the river.
  Another draw was Dr Roderick McCrea, who set up a practice in 1896.  The Presbyterian Church was built in 1909 and St James Catholic Church was built across the street in 1915.  It is now a hardware store and cafe.
  The Hunters Community and 4-H Fair is the oldest one-day fair in the State of Washington.