​Over ten thousand years ago, the Methow Valley was covered in glaciers up to a mile thick, the tallest peaks in a sea of ice. As the ice receded, the First People settled throughout the Methow Valley, where food and cultural resources were available. They established several trails and trade routes and traded goods with the coastal and plains regions.

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Their descendants, the Methow, continue to live in this region, teaching and practicing cultural traditions passed down through hundreds of generations.

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Trappers and gold miners began to settle in the valley in the 1800s. The three most prominent pioneers were James Ramsey, Ben Pearrygin, and Guy Waring. The last of whom settled at the fork of the Chewuch and Methow rivers in 1891. He and his family settled in a home they called the “Castle.” The castle is now located at the Shafer Museum.

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Guy Waring is the acclaimed founding father of Winthrop and named the town after Theodore Winthrop. After a devastating fire in 1893, Winthrop had to be rebuilt. Waring's Duck Brand Saloon survived the fire and is now Winthrop’s Town Hall. Waring’s “Methow Trading Company” operated throughout the valley for 49 years. Owen Wister, Waring’s Harvard roommate, wrote The Virginian, America’s first Western novel, after honeymooning in Winthrop. During World War II, Winthrop saw an influx of soldiers who were stationed at nearby military bases and after the war, the town experienced a period of decline as many residents moved away in search of better opportunities.

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Western Restoration History:

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In 1972, when State Highway 20 was nearing completion over the North Cascades, several business people began planning for travelers passing through the town. Mrs. Kathryn Wagner and her husband Otto came up with the idea of a Western restoration. All the local merchants pitched in financially, and Mrs. Wagner paid the balance for the reconstruction, painting, and new signs. Westernization codes continue to regulate the look of new construction projects in town in order to maintain the character of Winthrop.

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The architect and designer of the Western restorations was Robert Jorgenson of Leavenworth, Washington. He wanted “to make the design as authentic as possible to preserve the spirit of the valley.” Chet Endrezzi created the original signs you can find throughout town.

 

Cattle drives, medicine shows, pack trains, and the mystique of the old west are still part of the Methow Valley experience. Almost completely surrounded by National Forest, Fish and Wildlife land, and Wilderness areas, Winthrop and the upper Methow Valley beckon adventurers of all kinds.

 

Every year we honor the heritage of Winthrop on Mother’s Day weekend during our annual 49er Days Celebration.

 

Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or simply enjoying the small-town charm of Winthrop, there’s something for everyone here.

 

Visit the Shafer Museum in downtown Winthrop to learn more about Winthrop's history. Also check out the Methow Valley Interpretive Center located on TwispWorks campus for an in-depth experience of the unique geology and natural history of the Methow Valley, and the pre-European native inhabitants.