Five years ago this October, Dan and I decided for better or for worse, to call Republic, Washington, home. We began our cross country move in an older Winnebago filled to the brim with household goods and 3 large dogs. Amber, our 12 y/o paraplegic Retriever mix. Gracie, our 4 y/o pure bred German Shepherd and Otto, our 5 y/o Pit Bull mix. We were a motley crew indeed, and that does not include the dogs!
“Why,” you might ask? Well, for Sparky the answer is fairly easy and rational. He lived in Washington State for many years and had hunted, camped and fished all over the northeastern side of the state. He knew for many years that he wanted to retire over here.
Me? Well….this is embarrassing, but I might as well just spit it out and you can laugh away. As a 6 y/o girl living in Fredonia, NY, as far away from the wild west as I could get, I fell in love with Little Joe Cartwright on Bonanza. That’s right, a t.v. show. Sunday nights. Pa, Hoss, Adam and Little Joe. Riding his Pinto Pony, Little Joe rode into my life and stole my 6y/o heart and the hearts of many little girls who dreamed of moving out west and riding horses and living on a ranch and having adventure after adventure, just like Sunday evenings on that great make believe television series. How serious a crush was this, you might ask? I remember only too well, after we moved from Dunkirk to Fredonia that year, crying my eyes out on my mother’s lap, sobbing that I did NOT want to live in Fredonia. When Mom trying to console me, asked where I did want to live, I blubbered out that I wanted to live on a ranch in Texas and ride horses with Little Joe! My sainted mother did not, you hear me, did NOT burst out laughing at her young daughter though she probably was dying inside! She held me and rocked me until I stopped crying and then I hopped down and went about playing in the yard on Berry Road. I don’t know why I remember this incident so vividly, but it has stayed with me all these years and I never lost my vision of living in the wild west. So when Sparky asked me if I would consider living out here in Republic, Washington, I knew without a doubt that I had to go. And that’s my story! Some dreams take longer to fulfill than others. The idea I guess, is to never loose sight of your dreams!
And here is what I see all day every day. Mt. Elizabeth from my kitchen window.
And so here we are, smack dab in the back of the beyond, in Ferry County, Washington. High in the northeast corner of the state, 20 miles from the border with Canada and 10 miles outside the tiny western frontier town of Republic, population about 1,073 according to the 2010 census. But I dare say there have been more than a few souls who went to God since then and there are not a lot of folks moving in. Deer out number the residents up here and bear might too but I haven’t checked their numbers. Suffice it to say that it is quiet around here.
Beyond the barns and up the hill. Deer, coyote, bear, cougar and turkey all call it home. Not always a peaceable kingdom, but it is the process of natural selection and well…..some selective hunting too.
But, I really want to show you all around our town of Republic. We have everything you need to survive and thrive up here. Everything any small town has, we have. Maybe nothing too fancy, but this is the wild west where cowboy boots, Stetsons and Western Shirts stand side by side with high heels, skin tight leggings and gauzy tunic shirts..
Republic. Originally given the name of “Eureka Gulch” by gold miners after close by Eureka Creek. Scene of a gold rush in the late 19th century. The name was changed to Republic honoring the great Republic Mining Claim after the name Eureka was denied as another town had claimed it. Whew!!!! That was a sentence and a half! Republic is located at the top of the San Poil valley surrounded by the Okanagan Highlands to the West and the Kettle Ridge mountains to the East. And a beautiful valley it is.
Gold found this town and still makes Republic run to this day. Both the Hecla and the Kinross mines have contributed to keeping Republic on the map.
How many City Halls do you know that are log constructed? And surrounded by gorgeous murals depicting the progression of life here in Republic?
Andersons Grocery has been faithfully serving residents for over 100 years! We all shop there and are grateful for their presence.
The Republic Drug Store has been in the Slagle family since 1904. And the next generation is in the wings. Thanks Rob and Patty! 2 of this worlds best Pharmacists!
The PUD. Public Utility- Making sure our community has electricity to power our homes and businesses!
How about your need for clothes, crafts, quilting supplies and more? Arwen at the Outfitters will call you by name and personally assist you in your choices. Can’t get that service at big box USA
If Arwen doesn’t have it, she will send you down the street to Taggs and Carla will do the same! If she doesn’t have it, Carla will send you to Arwen. Can’t do that in the city.
Need a place to stay? The Northern Inn is the place to be. Built to resemble an old west hotel, Kathy will make you feel right at home.
And yes, we have restaurants serving good, hardy, soul satisfying fare by people who really care if you like you meal!
Thanks Debbie!
Need hardware? Well…Hardings has it or if not, they will have it for you Wednesday! This place is the best. A smallish store crammed with just about anything you need and a lot of things you didn’t know you needed. And truly, they will bend over backwards to get you that piece of pipe to fix your only water supply!
Speaking of the wild west……The Wild West farm and garden store supplies all you need to raise chickens, feed your goats and sheep and plant all the flowers and vegetables you can imagine.
And what, you say about your medical care needs? Well, we have a critical access hospital here. Staffed by knowing and caring professionals who can treat treat anything that arrives at their door. Routine? No problem. Got ya covered. Not so good? They will get you stabilized and air flighted to Spokane for treatment. We are truly blessed to have this facility and even more blessed to have it staffed by dedicated professionals.
Yeppers…..even NAPA is here!
And if you have been not so good, we can handle that too! 🙂 Jail is in the back…just saying.
Eich’s! All things for out doors like fishing, hunting and Radio Shack and river floating and UPS shipping.
And this is how Republic relaxes. Billy and Emily own the Brew Pub. Not just a bar, but a place to play Scrabble, or listen to live music or have a birthday party or a painting class. Bring your own food and stay for the evening.But yes, the beer is fantastic!
Churches also seem to outnumber the residents of Republic, but this one church deserves special recognition. 125 years old! Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church and the beautiful little church that Dan and I attend. Locate on the hill overlooking the town, it is a reminder of what our founding fathers felt and knew to be important.
A look down Clark Street from one end of town to the other. Not much there but everything is there. And just look at the mountains heading down the valley. Home. This is home.
Thanks for stopping by today my friends. I hope you enjoy reading my stories even half as much as I enjoy sharing my life with you. Wherever your journey leads you today, I hope it is one step closer to fulfilling your dreams!
Hugs and much love from me,
Karen, TJG
Follow me at : www.thejourneygirl.com
Love! Love! Love! Keep it coming journey girl… I too, fell in love with Little Joe Cartwright. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to comment Kathy! Ride on Little Joe!
Hugs
Wonderful story. Almost want to move that direction. Currently staying in Susan & John Dana’s house and looking for property of my own. Might just take a look.
Wonderful stories. Love your blog
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Come on up and visit before the snow flies!
Hugs
I would love to share this story with my family back east. As this says everything I feel about our little town . and have been unable to put into words.
Debora,
Feel free to share and share. It’s great to brag on our little town!
Hugs,
TJG
Love this! You’ve depicted our town well. We moved here in 2001 when my husband took over the Ranger position at Curlew Lake State Park. We bought our home here in 2015 when we decided no matter what budget cuts may happen in WA State, we’re staying put. Welcome and glad you love Little Joe. I think a lot of us had a crush on him, but I much preferred the dun horse over the pinto.
Anita,
Thanks for your comments! I may just do a blog on Curlew Lake State Park. It is such a gem and a “must stop” for all my visitors.
Hugs,
TJG
As always I enjoyed your stories and the photos of Republic. You create wonderful memories no matter where you have traveled or lived. Journey on my dear friend.
Hugs
Shar
Hi Shar,
My treasured friend. Wish I could get you out here!
Hugs,
TJG
Thank you for sharing. I so miss Republic. I lived there from 2006 until 2014. I miss camping up at swan and long lake and I miss all the good people I met there.
We come visit Republic every year in September for two weeks. We love it! Save some extra money always to head to Taggs and always buy something from Karla.
We camp at the Curlew Lake State Park and fish and paddle board and visit.
We would live there in our retirement if all our grand children didn’t live on this side of the mountains.
Lois
Hi Lois,
September is a wonderful time for staying here and the Park is so beautiful. Thanks for commenting.
Hugs,
TJG
So happy to read my old hone, Republic! I always wanted to retire to Republic and I managed to move there and live there for 10 years, until circumstances forced a move.
It is a most beautiful place, and I know you will find a real home there- good people, and a community that works together most of the time.
S.J.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate your sentiments!
Hugs,
TJG
I have to say that was Beautiful.. Every bit so true.. I married and moved from My Home Town of Republic 35 years ago.. I moved to Arkansas but never will Republic leave My Soul.. I love coming Home to see those Mountain’s and My Family & Friends and Resting Soul’s.. Thanks Again for sharing what you wrote it’s Awesome
Donna,
Thank you for your kind words. I hope you come and visit often!
Hugs,
TJG
Great article! I have family in Malo, Curlew, and Republic and I’ll be moving there soon. Can’t wait to get out of the Tacoma area and to where I belong!! It feels like home every time I’m over there.
Hi Robin,
Thanks for your comments. We’ll be looking forward to having you as a new resident!
Hugs,
TJG
Thank You for the beautiful article. I didn’t know we have an avid blogger in Republic. I have lived here for over 12 years and am still very much in love with the land and town.
Hi Jodie,
Active and loving to blog! It is encouraging to know that 12 years later you are still enjoying life here. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Journey on!
Hugs,
TJG
My daughter and son-in-law work hard at re population of little Republic. They have chosen to make it their home and are raising my 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter there. I’ve visited twice and I might have missed a chance to move there myself.
Hi Lester,
Thanks so much for your comments! Maybe you will indeed, move to Republic!
Hugs,
TJG
I have applied for a position at the hospital as a CNA. I currently work for Providence in Everett, Washington which is my home town. My mother made the move 20 years ago over to that area and I am feeling the itch to get closer to her as well as to a small town that used to be over on this side. I love coming over there and visiting. You do fall in love with the simplicity of it all. I do want to finish with my nursing degree and I hope that somehow I can do that over that way as nursing is my passion. I really enjoyed your post here and I can relate on so many levels.
Thank you for sharing.
Michelle
Hello Michelle,
Thank you for taking the time to comment.I have been an RN for 42 years and I encourage you to follow your passion and get that degree!
Hugs, Karen, TJG
Hi there, we plan to move there in 6 months time, whats the down side???
Also the best and worse area to buy land?
Thanks
Hi Sam,
Depends on what you mean by “downside.” The town rolls up the sidewalks at 5pm and don’t think of shopping on Sundays except for groceries. Some like it and many do not.
As far as land goes, it truly depends on what you like. Mountains? Hills? River front. Flat land . Trees or plains. We really do have it all and there is a lot to choose from. Happy to hear we are gaining another resident!
Thanks for commenting. See you in the Spring!
Karen
I so enjoyed reading thru your blog and seeing the photos! My mother’s family, the Gendron’s have been in Republic since the early 1900’s. I love to visit and will always consider it my ‘home town’. It holds a special place in my heart.
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your kind words. I don’t know you family but maybe we will meet some day. The “old” homestead families have my admiration!
Please share my Blog with your friends and family and take a look at some of my other stories.
Let me know the next time you are up here.
Karen
Hey, Karen! thank you so much! My family (dad’s side) is from the Republic area since the late 1800’s. I see this thread is a few years old – I hope it’s still active though!
Hi Sue: I found this blog post – trying to find info on my family, the Gendrons. : ) Guessing we are from different sets of Gendrons (?) or not! : ) There were a lot of Gendrons in the area back then. Many of my relatives were Okanagan, my dad the last tribal member. I didn’t qualify. : ( .
I have a photo (from 1992 or so) of him in front of the “Albert (Roy) Gendron Memorial Building” (his dad) – which looks like a very tiny log cabin. Ha! I can’t figure out the back story. I haven’t been back to that area since I was 10 (47 years ago), when I lived with my dad “on the reservation” while he worked setting up one of if not the first mental health clinics in Inchelium.
I have some trust land on the Columbia and it is (was) the most beautiful, magical place. Karen, you picture of Mt. Elizabeth looks just like pictures I have. Sadly there is nothing around that land so I haven’t been back.
My dad has to be laid to rest, finally, in his plot next to his mother where he belongs. Hopefully I can get that done soon for him. It’s been far too long. I spoke to Fred Bremner so many years ago soon after my dad died in 1994. I’m not sure how old he was then…
I’ve done a lot of genealogy research and Republic pulls me. The land pulls me. Anyway, sorry for the long post out of nowhere, but i saw my last name and there you go. Thank you again, Karen, for the “tour”. mi
Marie, So good to hear from you! What a surprise to actually connect with family thru Karen’s blog! Yes, we are cousins! Our grandfather’s were brothers. My grandfather was Alfred “Fred’ Gendron. My mother was Ruby Gendron Driver. She passed away in 2015. So, Willy and Helen are the last remaining siblings. Helen still lives in Spokane and would love to hear from you! Her email is helenmarksb@msn.com. Willy and Marlene are in Phoenix for the winter. My sister and I both live in Albuquerque, NM and another sister is in Oklahoma. It would be great to connect with you if you send me your email. Mine is subowdoin@comcast.net
Sue
Hey Sue! I lost track of this site, clearly – My dad (the second Albert Roy) had an uncle Fred! Brother of Albert Roy Sr.
Their mother Mattie Dupuis Gendron, was from the Okanagon/Okanagan clan, my dad was a Colville tribal member.
I’m blanking now, Mattie’s kids were Fred, George, Albert and Melvina (Aunt Vi)…
I’m in Phoenix year round – yikes- Wishing you well – be fun if we are from the same Gendron line.
Thanks again, too, Karen.
So sorry I haven’t been back sooner… I’ll copy your email, too. Hope you and yours are well! Marie.
Hey Sue! I lost track of this site, clearly – My dad (the second Albert Roy) had an uncle Fred! Brother of Albert Roy Sr.
Their mother Mattie Dupuis Gendron, was from the Okanagon/Okanagan clan, my dad was a Colville tribal member.
I’m blanking now, Mattie’s kids were Fred, George, Albert and Melvina (Aunt Vi)…
I’m in Phoenix year round – yikes- Wishing you well – be fun if we are from the same Gendron line.
So sorry I haven’t been back sooner… I’ll copy your email, too. Hope you and yours are well! Marie.
Hi Marie,
Thanks for your post and history lesson! I do hope you can travel up here soon. It is a beautiful part of the country.
Regards,
Karen TJG
I also hope this post is active. We’ve been looking at ads for property in Ferry County and keep wondering what it’s like to live there. I’m from coastal Oregon, and I’ve lived all over the east coast for years but want so badly to go back west! I can’t afford Oregon any more and it’s become so popular… so we keep looking at Washington as possibly more like the west I remember. We want to live in a small town, to have a little farm, and raise our daughter. Is this a welcoming town for a home schooled child? Your tour sounds so wonderful! Republic is beautiful.
Hello Kathleen,
Ferry County is very remote. The nearest Walmart is 65 miles away over the highest mountain pass that is open year round in Washington. We have very little business and virtually no industry in Ferry County. We have a critical access hospital but no doctors. We have NP and PA’s. We have a grocery store and a pharmacy. Our school district is good! And we have the private Grace Christian Academy. Many students are home schooled because they live so far from town or it is parental preference. As healthy retirees it works well for us.
You might also want to look at Stevens County. That is where the Walmart is as well as 2 other grocery stores. The town of Colville is lovely. It has a hospital that is part of the Providence system. Several nice restaurants and shopping. It is still remote with lots of empty space.
Thanks for getting in touch and I wish you all the best!
Regards,
Karen TJG
Thank you so much, Karen! This is very helpful.
Hi Karen! Thank you for this informative post! We are looking at possibly moving the Republic but now sure if it is a good fit. We have lived in Puyallup, Spanaway and now live near Eatonville (if you have never been there it is near Mt. Rainier) pretty much former rural area turned suburban. We like to hunt and fish and want to relocate to somewhere more remote and away from chaos and Walmart. I am an art teacher and my husband does gas pipe, we have an 11 year old daughter who if very into the outdoors and art. Is Republic a good fit for a family with an up and coming teen and also offer decent education and friendly neighbors? The snow sort of worries me, but that is probably because where we live, when it snows it’s kind of a big deal and schools close down and everything because we have a lot of hills and valleys and people aren’t used to it as we will get a few inches and every so often a foot. Just looking for some real honest information. Thanks!