Vader, Washington
City in the United States in Lewis County
About Vader
Vader is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. The community began in the 1870s and was known under several different names during its early years. Vader was most recognizably known as Little Falls, after a waterfall on nearby Olequa Creek, until an official name change to Vader in 1913. The city's moniker has remained an issue, with unsuccessful votes held in the 21st century to convert back to Little Falls.
Incorporated under the name of Little Falls in 1906, the early town grew largely out of logging and clay manufacturing at the turn of the 20th century, growing to a population that was reported to have reached as high as 5,000 people, despite census records failing to support the numbers. The city became known as Vader, after an American Civil War veteran and resident, in 1913. In the 1910s, several fires decimated the sawmill and factory industries of the community which led to a decades-long decline to Vader's population and economy. By the 2000s, a lack of funding closed the local school and educational district.
In the 21st century, community efforts have been undertaken to rejuvenate the economic conditions of the city. Several projects began to highlight the logging history of Vader as well as showcase historic buildings, such as Old City Jail, and two National Register of Historic Places structures, the Ben Olsen House and Grace Evangelical Church of Vader. Two parks were created and the community has continued to hold an annual May Day Festival, first begun in the 1950s.
According to the 2020 census, Vader's population rebounded to a level not recorded since 1910.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Vader is governed
Form of government not yet listed.
0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Vader
Registered voters elect the officials below.
-
Mayor
Executive
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
-
City Manager / Administrator
Executive
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
-
Police Chief
Administration & departments
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
Leads the police department.
-
Fire Chief
Administration & departments
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
Leads the fire and emergency services department.
-
Public Works Director
Administration & departments
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
-
Finance Director
Administration & departments
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
-
Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
Land use, zoning, building permits.
-
Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
Parks, programs, and public facilities.
-
-
-
City Council
Legislative
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
-
City Clerk
Administration & departments
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
-
City Attorney
Administration & departments
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
-
Boards & Commissions
Legislative
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
-
-
Municipal Court
Judicial
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
-
Municipal Judge
Judicial
Not yet listed. Log in to add who holds this
Presides over the municipal court.
-
- Website
- vaderwa.org
Looking for your county, state and federal representatives too? See who represents 98593 or everyone in Washington.
Population over time
From 414 in 1990 to 629 in 2020 (+51.9%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 629 |
| 2010 | 621 |
| 2000 | 590 |
| 1990 | 414 |
History
Beginnings and 20th century
After Little Falls was formed, the town was considered one of the largest communities between Portland and Tacoma. The town was incorporated as a "fourth class" city under the Little Falls name on January 12, 1906; only one resident out of 78 voted against incorporation. The first mayor was W.R. Diley. During its peak between 1890 and 1920, Vader hosted over 40 businesses, contained two churches, and had a hospital. Along with a local newspaper, businesses included a bowling alley, an opera house, several saloons, and the Vader Moving Picture Theater.
The seven Olson brothers, notably Ben Olsen of the Ben Olsen House, began the Stillwater Logging and Lumber Company; the company operated a sawmill in Vader beginning in late December 1907, at its peak employing as many as 180 men. Olsen also formed a partnership, the Little Falls Water Company, to supply water to the Little Falls community in the early 1910s.
The Stillwater lumber mill was purchased by Weyerhaeuser in 1914. Despite the facility having a fire suppression system in place by 1915, the mill burned down on the evening of January 11, 1916; damages were estimated between $30,000 and $100,000. The mill was rebuilt but burned down again on the night of September 1, 1918. The fire began from an explosion in the boiler room when new equipment was being installed. Though the plane mill and dry kiln areas survived, the loss of timber and a rail engine were substantial. Damages were estimated at $125,000; the mill had only $35,000 in insurance coverage. A formal announcement was made the following month that the mill would not be rebuilt. The Stillwater timber holdings were sold to the Winlock Lumber Company, however, Stillwater's logging operations were briefly resumed in March 1919. One attempt to rebuild the mill was announced in December 1919. The effort did not materialize.
The population may have reached as high as 5,000 residents during its peak though official census records dispute the claim. The Little Falls Fire Clay Factory was operational in the early 1900s. Manufacturing a variety of clay products such as bricks and sewer pipes, the plant shut down after it was destroyed during a fire in 1914. A new, but smaller clay production facility began in 1920 but another fire decimated the factory in 1925. Various disasters and loss of employment from the closure of the clay factory and sawmill led to a decline to the town.
21st century
As part of a ten-year plan to rejuvenate Vader, the first cell phone tower was erected in the city in 2003. Additional efforts included the additions of parks, the creation of an historic walking tour, and the renovation of the downtown core which introduced elements to recreate the community as a 1910 logging town.
Vader celebrated its centennial in July 2006, intentionally delaying the celebration in hopes for a larger turnout and a more "party atmosphere".
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.