Cashmere
Cashmere Washington is wonderful community of about 3,000 people located along the Wenatchee River located between Leavenworth and Wenatchee on U.S. Highway 2.
Cashmere is “Pear Country” and is thought by many to be one of the best places in the world to grow pears – Bartletts , Boscs and D’Anjous. Cashmere also is locally famous for both “Aplets and Cotlets” and the undefeated 2008 Washington State 1A football champions, the Cashmere Bulldogs.
HISTORY
The town got its start with the name of “Mission” in 1873, named for the log church built by the Catholic missionary Father Grassi. In 1904, it was decided that a name change was necessary because there was another “Mission” in Washington State. Judge James H. Chase suggested the name Cashmere, comparing the town’s natural beauty to the Kashmir region on the border of India and Pakistan.
CHARACTER
Cashmere has a small downtown area which is home to businesses like That Pizza Place and the adjoining bowling alley, Cashmere Valley Bank, Doane’s Valley Pharmacy, Clifford’s Hardware, Club Crow, and The Pioneer House. Cashmere businesses are featured on the website for the Cashmere Chamber of Commerce.
Heading East out of town takes you down through the historic neighborhood of Cottage Avenue and its collection of Craftsman homes. (Neighboring streets include Elberta, Norman, Douglas and Vine.)
LANDSCAPE
Spreading out of town like spokes on a wheel are various canyons and their creeks. Pioneer Drive heads west and turns into Brender Canyon and Brisky Canyon. To the south lies Mission Creek and Yaksum Canyon and to the North, Nahahum Canyon. Much of the land for sale in these canyons is steep, the flattest land used for orchards. However, there are great views to be had from some of the ridges – especially looking west to the Cascade Range and the Enchantments. There are some horse properties to be found as well, at prices much more affordable than in Leavenworth.
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