Thank you for visiting this free genealogical site about the history of Chelan County, Washington. We hope you find helpful clues at this site while you are researching your Chelan County ancestors. Keep in mind, this website is a constant work in progress so do visit again if you haven't yet found the information you wanted. New information will be added as it becomes available so be sure to check the What's New page for updates. If you have information you think would be helpful to others who use this website, please contact us by using the links at the bottom of any page.
I am your Webmistress and Coordinator for the Chelan County, Washington GenWeb (WAGenWeb) site. I was born in Chelan County and raised in Douglas County, however, I currently live in Arizona while the majority of my family is still in Chelan County. If I can assist you in your search for Chelan County ancestors, I will do what I can. All you need to do is ask and I will let you know whether or not I am able to help.
As this project is completely volunteer driven, your help is needed to populate this website with your Chelan County historical photos, family histories, and document images. We welcome your contributions of transcribed records and will be happy to make them publicy available on this site: census, marriage, deeds, wills, bible records, obituaries, biographies, newspaper clippings, etc. Every single little bit of information will be appreciated.
PLEASE:
Shannon (Hill) Lanning
WAGenWeb Chelan County Coordinator
In 1811, nomadic fur traders first visited the area that many years later would become CHELAN COUNTY. Next came the prospectors trying their luck. In the early 1880s pioneers began settling on the shores around Lake Chelan and in Entiat and Wenatchee areas. An 1893 attempt to form Wenatchee County failed. After it became apparent that travel was impossible during winter months from the area to Ellensburg, the county seat for Kittitas County, Chelan County was created in March of 1899 from parts of Okanogan County to the north and Kittitas County to the south. The county seat would be in WENATCHEE, the largest city in the county.
Chelan County covers 2,994 square miles, of which 73 square miles are water. Its name came from a Chelan Indian word that means "deep water", likely referring to Lake Chelan which reaches a maximum depth of 1,486 feet. The entire county had an estimated population in 2020 of about 76,229.
Click on both the photo and the links in the descriptions for more information and photos
The USS Chelan County (LST-542) participated in the invasion of Normandy June 1944 and saw service as part of the Amhibious Force, US Atlantic Fleet - photo Courtesy of William H. Davis.
Aplets & Cotlets, a Turkish delight, came to Cashmere, in the 1920s thanks to two Armenian immigrants, Armen Tertsagian and Mark Balaban, founders of Liberty Orchards. A grandson of Armen's has served as the company's president since the 1980s keeping it in the family.
Ohme Gardens was created by Herman and Ruth Ohme as a private family retreat. Interest from the community prompted them to open it to the public. It was later sold to WA State Parks, then to Chelan County.
The Apple Blossom Festival began after a New Zealand woman emigrated to the USA, and moved to Wenatchee in 1914. She proposed the idea of a "blossom day" and the rest is history. The first queen and her princesses were crowned in 1920, the same year women received the right to vote.
Click here to open a PDF file with more information on Chelan County's long and colorful history.
County Coordinator:
Shannon (Hill) Lanning
State Coordinator:
Mike Sweeney
Asst State Coordinator:
Colleen Pustola
If you have information, questions, comments, or any problems with this site, please do not hesitate to contact the County Coordinator. We are here to help.
