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Longview, Washington is a modern city, whose roots can be traced back to Kansas City, Missouri and Robert Alexander (R.A.) Long, president of the Long-Bell Timber Company. Long, with other company leaders, committed to building a large lumber mill along the Columbia River. The large work force needed to operate it was not available to the area, so Long decided to build a city to accommodate the estimated 14,000 it would take to man the mill. Longview was dedicated in July 1923. In February 1924, it was incorporated and a municipal government was established. Today, Longview is a thriving community continually growing in size and diversity. R.A. Long envisioned a scenic, peaceful central hub that would be the nucleus of business and travel routes throughout the city.
Today, this vision has become reality in the Civic Center, providing access to many city services. The Civic Center is home to R.A. Long Park, the Post Office, Longview Public Library and City Hall. Other attractions include Lake Sacajawea, historic downtown Longview and the Columbia Theater for the Performing Arts.
Kelso, Washington is a growing community of friendly people. In fact, Kelso is known as the “City of Friendly People.” Located in southwestern Washington at the confluence of the Cowlitz, Coweeman and Columbia rivers, Kelso is home to approximately 12,000 residents who take pride in their community and rich heritage.
The Kelso Volcano and Visitor Center, off Interstate 5 at Exit 39, is fully staffed seven days a week and provides information to visitors to ensure they get the most out of their stay in the area. A surveyor named Peter Crawford founded Kelso in the 1840’s. Crawford, a Scottish native, fell in love with the area and named it “Kelso” after his hometown in Scotland. 150 years later, the city continues to honor its roots with Highlander Festival featuring piping and dancing, a golf tournament and parade. Located on Interstate 5 at Exits 39 and 40, Kelso is 48 miles north of Portland, Oregon, 125 miles south of Seattle, Washington, and a short 80 miles to the Pacific Ocean beaches. This central location makes Kelso the perfect “hub” for convenient travel to the area’s finest attractions.
Special Thanks to the Cowlitz County Tourism Bureau for providing info for this page. Photos by omOriginals.
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