ABOUT
YELM
The word “Yelm” comes from the Coastal Salish word
“shelm” which means “shimmering heat waves from the
sun.”
The Yelm Prairie was originally inhabited by
members of the Nisqually Indian Tribe. The first permanent
American settlers came in 1853 to join the Hudson’s
Bay Company sheep farmers who were already in the
area.
With the coming of the Northern Pacific Railway in 1873, Yelm began to
prosper having found an outlet for its agricultural
and forestry products. Its economic base was further
enhanced in the early 1900s when an irrigation
company was formed in 1916, making Yelm a center for
commercial production of beans, cucumbers, and
berries.
Yelm was officially incorporated on December 10,
1924.
During the Great Depression, the Yelm Irrigation
Company was bankrupted by high maintenance costs and
an unstructured water distribution plan.
Ironically, Yelm is now home to the first Class A
Water Reclamation Facility and distribution system
in Washington state. This system reclaims all of its
waste water to irrigate landscaping at churches,
parks, a football field and one residence. The water
also is added to streams and is used to recharge
water underground at a city wetland park that
includes a catch-and-release fish pond for rainbow
trout.
Yelm is also the home of the organization known as the Ramtha School of Enlightenment.
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
For
detailed information about Yelm City events, please visit
the following web sites. City of Yelm Chamber of Commerce and Thurston County Visitors Bureau.
BIKE
OR HIKE
Yelm-Tenino Trail
Directions:
Yelm Trailhead -
Just prior to the first stop light in Yelm, turn
right in front of the Yelm City Hall. City
Hall less than 1/4 mile from Conley Suites, our Bed
& Breakfast. The
trailhead parking area is to the right of the
library.
Features:
 The
Yelm-Tenino Trail is a 14.5 mile rails-to-trails
corridor that runs east-west through the southern
portion of Thurston County and connects the
communities of Yelm, Rainier, and Tenino. It
traverses forest and agricultural lands, wetlands,
creeks, and other habitat and runs parallel to State
Route 507. The trail begins near Yelm City Park,
passes near Wilkowski Park in Rainier and ends at
Tenino City Park. There is access to the Deschutes
River west of Rainier and over 3/4-mile of footage
along McInotsh Lake near Tenino. |
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BOAT
We
have both large and small lakes that are ideal for those who want
to water ski, fish, sail, or canoe Boating in the near
Yelm at Lawrence Lake can be enjoyed throughout the four
seasons. Area lakes include Lawrence Lake, McIntotsch , and the
Nisqually River. Many rafters float down the Nisqually in
the hot summer to enjoy the scenery and the hot weather.
GOLF
There is a Great
golf course in Yelm. Nisqually Valley Golf Course has varied degrees of challenge,
it has something to
offer all levels of golfers.
MOUNT RAINIER SCENIC TRAIN
The Mount Rainier Scenic
Railroad is a 501(c)(3) non-profit branch of the Western
Forest Industries Museum (Your tax-deductible contributions
are always welcomed and appreciated!). The MRSR is dedicated to
preserving historic locomotives and equipment that played such a
key role in the logging and timber industries of the Pacific
Northwest.
A scenic 1-1/2 hour, 14 mile round
trip through the foothills of Mt. Rainier, with a stop at Mineral.
Passengers may choose to stay at the lake and take a later train
back to Elbe. (Our excursion train has completed the 2006 season,
it will return in Spring 2007)
FISH
Fish
on the Nisqually or Deshutes River, on the lake shores of
McIntosh or Lawrence Lake, from a boat or even at the trout
farm - Jim's U-Fish at Old Mcdebbie's Farm at 4924 268th St E in
Spanaway.
SNOW
& SNOW PLAY
Ski, snow board, cross country ski and snow shoe enthusiasts as
well as those people who just enjoy playing and sliding in the
snow have long been drawn to the Paradise Lodge at Mount
Rainier. Or
enjoy tubing and sledding
... near Paradise Lodge in the winter.
NORTHWEST TREK
Northwest Trek Wildlife
Park is a treasure for wildlife enthusiasts. The signature tram
tour through the 435-acre free-roaming area offers the
opportunity to spot animals as they wander through forests,
wetlands and meadows. In the core area, visitors can get a peek
at native wild canines and cats as well as forest and wetland
critters. The 715-acre park has a little bit of everything:
lakes, trails, meadows and plenty of animals. Located near Mount
Rainier in Washington state, Northwest Trek is home to more than
200 North American animals representing more than 30 species.
WINERIES
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