Trout Lake Ski Lodge, located in the scenic Trout Lake, Washington, holds a rich history that is as captivating as its natural beauty. This area was once a vital summer home for the Yakama and Klickitat tribes. They would travel to the Trout Lake valley to fish and gather tule reeds, an essential resource for building and crafting. The first recorded Euro-American visitor to the Trout Lake valley was John Work, a clerk for the Hudson’s Bay Company, in 1830. He was guided by Native Americans along an inland route to avoid the high waters of the Columbia River.
In 1853, George McClellan, who later became known for his role as a Union general in the American Civil War, traveled through this area while surveying a route for a transcontinental railroad. His presence in the valley added to its historical significance, although the railroad was never built here.
The late 19th century saw the arrival of settlers like the Stoller family, who immigrated from Switzerland in 1879. They aimed to establish a dairy farm, drawn by the valley’s lush grasses. Although they faced challenges, such as the harsh winter of 1880-81, they persisted and played a pivotal role in starting the tourist trade by hosting fishermen and allowing visitors to camp near their home.
The Trout Lake area continued to develop with contributions from other settlers like Charles Pearson and William Stadelman, who introduced irrigation to the valley in 1887. Their efforts transformed the landscape and supported the growing agricultural community.
Trout Lake Ski Lodge and its surrounding areas have evolved over time, from a vital indigenous resource hub to a bustling settler community and eventually a popular tourist destination. Its history is marked by resilience and adaptation, reflecting broader themes in American history of cultural exchange, settlement, and innovation.
