Named after one of it's Pioneer families, the community of Thorp became started as an agricultural venture in 1895. As with many communities in the Kittitas, the presence of the railroad paved the way for growth.

The construction of the Thorp Grist Mill was a tremendous boon to the community. Later it enabled Thorp to be one of the first communities in the valley to receive electricity.
 

Copyright ©2007 Northern Kittitas County Tribune. Reprinted with permission.