Buckley, Washington
City in the United States in Pierce County
About Buckley
Buckley is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States, founded in 1882. The population was 5,114 at the 2020 census. Buckley lies on the White River below Mount Rainier and is known for hosting an annual festival named the Log Show.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Buckley is governed
Form of government not yet listed.
1 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Buckley
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
- Beau Burkett per Wikidata
The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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- Website
- cityofbuckley.com
Looking for your county, state and federal representatives too? See who represents 98321 or everyone in Washington.
Population over time
From 4,354 in 2010 to 5,114 in 2020 (+17.5%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5,114 |
| 2010 | 4,354 |
History
1856 Decisive battle of the Puget Sound War fought at Connell's Prairie, 6 miles (10 km) west of Buckley. It was significant because it boosted the morale of the settlers because it was such a great victory with no casualties to the regulars or volunteers.
1875
Coal discovered at Wilkeson
Jeremiah 'Jerry' Stilley, first permanent non-Indian resident, settled West of town.
1877 Railroad built from Tacoma to Wilkeson to transport coal.
1882 Town named "Perkin's Prairie"
1884 Northern Pacific built railroad spur track from Cascade Junction (between South Prairie and Buckley) to Perkin's Prairie. Town given name "White River Siding" by railroad men.
1885 Town's first store erected by "Dad" Chamberlain.
1887
Town renamed "Buckley" for J.M. Buckley, Northern Pacific Railway district superintendent.
First school established.
1888 Town site platted by Alexander and Mary Wickersham. Lumber and shingle mills are established.
1889
First post office established.
District Court appointed five men as trustees of the Town of Buckley.
First newspaper printed and published in Buckley - The Buckley Banner.
1890: Town incorporated by electorate.
1891: Land donated for Buckley cemetery.
1892
May 5 Business District almost wiped out fire. Started on second story of the Buckley Lumber Store. Many brick buildings built after this fire still stand on Main Street.
June 17 New school built at present site of White River School District building on A Street.
First permanent church built.
World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois - Buckley Mills sell wood, shingles, and supplies to be used at the World's Fair Exhibit Buildings
First organized water system established.
1893
February 24 Fire Department in Buckley was established.
1898 Business district razed by fire. First high school classes held, building erected.
1902
Addition built on schoolhouse.
First library established.
1905 First high school graduation held.
1907
Gravity water system built; water stored in reservoir still in use by town.
First general use of electricity.
1909
School burned to ground.
Town established fire department to replace Columbia Hose Company, a private fire-fighting group.
1910 New brick school built on A Street.
1911
White River Power Plant completed.
Present town hall built.
1912 Plank streets replaced by paving.
1914 Wickersham elementary school built.
1920 Large section of business district leveled by fire..
1939
Rainier School officially opened.
Work commenced on Mud Mountain Dam on White River.
1942 Mud Mountain Dam completed.
1944 Buckley railroad logging ended with closure of Buckley Logging Company mill.
1946 City limits extended to include Rainier School and farms south of town.
1947
Last company-operated coal mining discontinued.
1949 Buckley and Enumclaw school districts consolidated.
1951 Rural Fire District No. 12 organized.
1952
New fire station built.
Sewage disposal plant built.
1953
Wickersham school annex built.
White River School District (Buckley-Enumclaw) de-consolidated.
1956
New gymnasium built at high school.
1957
Town established natural gas utility.
1959 Northern Pacific railroad depot torn down.
1974 Buckley Annual Log Show starts.
2003 White River High School moved to a new location.
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