Elbe (Washington)
Pierce County
53-20890
Elbe is a small town on the Nisqually River in the U.S. state of Washington in Pierce County, with 21 inhabitants ( 2000).
The postal code (English: ZIP code) of the Elbe is: WA 98330th
History
In 1888 the first settlers arrived in the forests on the Nisqually River. It was the German immigrant Karl Lütkens and Adam Sachs at the time, only 19 - year-old Karl Lütkens was from his new home so much that he persuaded his parents Heinrich and Christina Lütkens also to come to America. This left their previous home in Todendorf in Stormarn in Schleswig -Holstein and met in 1891 in America. Among the first settlers in this area were also Ferdinand Selle, Christian Fritz, Louis Schuff Hauer, Christian Kruse, Max Ogan, Hans Bartels, Fred Duke, W. Lawrence, Levi Angel, Vincent Rotter, R. Schmidt, Frank Salzer, Stoll and Gus Christian Weiland. The small town grew, and a post office was here on June 4, 1892 already set up.
During this time, the place that has been called Brown's Junction also received its present name. It is not known exactly how it came to naming. Many of today's residents believe that it was Henry Lütkens, who suggested the name Elbe. Agree, however, are all that the name was chosen because of the Nisqually River then remembered his landscape on the river Elbe in the old country.
The economic development of the town in the following years was good. The located near Mount Rainier was the destination of many tourists, who made their way in Elbe rest. In 1894 Henry built Lütkens and his son Charles a tourist hotel with 48 rooms. Previously Ferdinand Selle hotel was built, but which burned down after a short time. The village blacksmith Levi angel was at that time temporarily also the editor of a newspaper which carried the name "Elbe Union ". With his recording camera Levi angel escorted over many years the village events. 1894 also a city hall was built, took place in the later various events, and others also dance events.
In 1895 there was Heinrich Lütkens and his family a reunion special kind from Hamfelde in the Duchy of Lauenburg, in Schleswig- Holstein, Carl Hooper, the sibling of Lütkens emigrated with his family, and settled in a neighboring town of Elbe.
1904, the same place was also connected to the rail network of the " Tacoma Eastern Railroad ," after which the number of tourists increased by leaps and bounds here. It was built another large hotel and several restaurants. The local co-founder Adam Sachs opened at this time a department store. Two years later, the villagers built a church. The construction materials and the land was donated by Henry Lütkens. Until the opening of the church, the inhabitants of the Elbe had celebrated their worship in private homes or at City Hall. In 1909 Elbe had 250 inhabitants and in the course of the 20th century, the population increased even up to 437.
Geography
Elbe is located about 76 km south of Seattle and about 140 km north of Portland in Oregon. The geographic coordinates are: 46.76 ° N, 122.20 ° West. The town has a total area of only 0.1 square kilometers.
In the immediate vicinity is the Mount Rainier, a volcano which is not currently active. An eruption of Mount Rainier is not ruled out by experts for the future.
Attractions
The Little White Church of Elbe Washington
A small church with the German inscription " Ev. Luth. CHURCH " that was built in 1906 of wood, according to the plans of Reverend Karl Kilian, by the inhabitants. The church is 7.32 m long and 5.49 m wide and has 46 people. The height of the church tower is 14.02 m. Meanwhile, the church was restored and included in the " National Register of Historic Places" on October 8, 1976.
Services are held at the time every 3rd Sunday of the month, instead of March to November at 14:30 clock (local time).
Mt Rainier Scenic Railroad and Mount Rainier National Park
A railway line that runs from the Elbe to Mount Rainier National Park, and is operated with steam locomotives and train carriages.