The History of Harrington

               Harrington is the quintessential eastern Washington wheat town.  The firm of Harrington, Furth, and Robinson, composed of speculators from Calusa County California, established Harrington in 1882 after purchasing 1,500 acres of land in the Big Bend wheat belt.  Harrington continued to grow after the construction of the Great Northern Pacific Railroad and station in 1892.  The railroad helped wheat farmers transport their product to more distant market for sale.  The first store opened in 1883 and slowly the town expanded opening a saloon, Tinsley House (a boarding house), a blacksmith, and Pickell Hotel. 

Harrington attracted wheat farmers and cattle ranchers to homestead.  The town prospered during the construction of the Great Northern Pacific Railroad, new buildings and stores were built as a rush of settlers arrived.  High wheat prices, inexpensive land, and easy transportation made Harrington a boomtown, and growth continued into the 1920s when Harrington had 882 residents. 

            Harrington at its peak included luxuries of any growing railroad town.  The citizens enjoyed a modern opera house, built in 1904 that attracted touring groups from all across the area.  Harrington had multiple hotels with the flagship being the Electric Hotel.  Passenger train services connected Harrington to Spokane and Seattle.  There was also a Harvester Factory, a hospital, and an active main street with saloons, hardware stores, a newspaper office and a barbershop.  Harrington had made it. 

After the Second World Was the town started to dwindle.  The harvester plant burnt down in the 20s, as did the hospital ten years later.  Neither was rebuilt.  The introduction of the highway system in the early 1950’s led to passenger rail services discontinuation. With more people using the highways, Harrington was bypassed more often and as a result the Opera House, as well as many other businesses closed down.  In the 1980’s passenger service stopped and the railroad depot was shut down.  The Lincoln Hotel closed as well.

Wheat farming continued to be the dominant industry of Lincoln County and the land was fertile as ever.  With advances in technology, less manpower was required to farm larger plots of land.  The once boomtown of Harrington now has a population of 424 as of the 2010 census.    

However, Harrington may be coming back.  There is a strong revitalization effort going on amongst the people of Harrington with the restoration of the Electric Hotel, the Opera House, as well as numerous other buildings throughout the town.  As of 2013 Harrington is receiving ultra-high speed internet service, and there is even talk about passenger rail service returning.  Harrington may be on the verge of a new era.  

The Tinsley House, 1880s.
This photo was taken after Tinsley House was moved from 3rd street to Main street.
Image Courtesy of the City of Harrington.

Harrington Saloon, 1884.
Harrington residents visiting the local saloon.
Image Courtesy of the City of Harrington.

Harrington Planning Mill, early 1900s.
Men working at the Harrington Planning Mill.
Image Courtesy of the City of Harrington.

Great Northern Pacific Railroad station, late 1800s.
Great Northern Pacific Railroad train pulling into the Harrington station.
Image Courtesy of the City of Harrington.

Combined- Harvester of W. J. Green, 1915.
W. J. Green harvesting wheat in Harrington.
Image Courtesy of the City of Harrington.

Harrington Museum, 2008.
The Harrington Museum on 3rd street.
Image Courtesy of Google Maps.

Cronrath, Marciel Armstrong.  Harrington 100 Years. 1980.