Pullman History
The Palouse area history dates back more than 10,000 years. Native Americans were here first, then Lewis and Clark passed through nearly 2 centuries ago on their journey to the mouth of the Columbia. They were likely the first non-indigenous people to set foot in Washington.
1885
Railroads arrive
The first Columbia and Palouse Railway train came over the line to Pullman on September 8, 1885. The Spokane and Palouse Railroad from Spokane to Genesee, Idaho, was built in 1887.
1888
City is incorporated
The town of 250 to 300 people was named after George Pullman of railroad car fame and fortune. Differing accounts tell of events that led up to the city’s founding.
1890
Fire destroys the city
A stable fire on Grand Street spread to the rest of the town, destroying all the business buildings except the Herald and the hotel within 2 hours. Thereafter, business buildings were required to be constructed of brick and warehouses covered with corrugated iron.
Pullman selected as site for a land-grant university
The community grew with the establishment of businesses and the decision by the state to locate its land-grant university in Pullman.
1892
Washington State College opens
The first college catalog lists 21 freshmen and 63 preparatory students. The college was established at a time when the state had only 3 cities maintaining high schools.
1895
Military Academy burns to the ground
Military Hill was named after the 1891 prep school for young men.
1917-19
World War I soldiers train on campus
Influenza epidemic claims 41 soldiers’ lives
1931-33
Great Depression takes a toll
College faculty and staff take an average 25 percent cut in salary during a 2-year period.
1942
World War II brings enlisted men to campus
The College trains them in aviation, Japanese language, signal corps, radio and gunnery.
1959
WSC becomes Washington State University
1969
Students protest the Vietnam War
They stage sit-ins in the Placement Bureau and French Administration Building.
1980
Mount Saint Helens erupts
A half-inch layer of volcanic ash blankets the city and campus.
1989
National Lentil Festival debuts
1993
Plans for new downtown Cougar Plaza win approval
1998
Bill Chipman Palouse Trail opens
The 8-mile recreational path, built on an abandoned railroad bed, connects Pullman and Moscow.
2000
Historic Corner Drug Store building burns
Though firefighters fought the blaze for 5 hours, the 110-year-old building—the city’s oldest--was burned beyond repair.
2003
New Pullman Town Centre opens
The WSU Foundation moves its offices from campus into the new building on the site of the former Corner Drug Store, alongside retail businesses.
Pullman in 1892:
A firsthand account
“Through the principal village street on almost any spring or fall day filed the prospector's train of pack horses or burros with their tinkling bells, or in a single file on parti-colored horses cayuses, a long line of Indian bucks followed by their squaws and papooses. The cowboy with chaps and sombrero and clinking spurs clanked along the streets or lounged about the doors of the saloon.”
—Enoch Bryan, president, Washington State University, 1893–1915