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Kelso platted in 1848 on the banks of the Cowlitz River by Scottish surveyor Peter Crawford, Kelso is a proud community with strong Scottish roots. In its early years, Kelso was known as “Little Chicago” due to its colorful population catering to the loggers in the area. Now known as “The City of Friendly People,” Kelso is perfectly situated to serve as a launching pad for your adventures in Cowlitz County and beyond.
Castle Rock was founded in 1883 and took its name from the rocky upthrust south of town long known as Castle Rock. Located within 50 miles of Mount St. Helens, Portland, and Olympia, this friendly community features comfortable lodging choices and a picturesque downtown.
Woodland was officially incorporated on March 27, 1906. Woodland is perhaps best known as the home of Hulda Klager (1863 - 1960), who was a prolific breeder of lilac hybrids. Located within easy driving distance of Portland and Mount St. Helens, Woodland is a dynamic community with access to a myriad of activities.
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CITIES
The history of Cowlitz County has strong ties to the earliest exploration and settlement in the Northwest. When Lewis and Clark led the Corps of Discovery to the Pacific Ocean in 1805, they passed the sites that would later become Woodland, Kalama and Longview. The storied Hudson’s Bay Company did business in the area and established an outpost at Kelso. Weyerhaeuser cut its teeth here, building camps and mills to log and process the timber from a primeval forest that stretched from modern-day Interstate 5 to Mount St. Helens. Today, we haven’t forgotten our heritage. You can share it with us when you attend Kelso’s Highlander Festival, Castle Rock’s Mountain Mania, or Woodland’s Planter’s Days. And that’s just the start of what you’ll find.
There is simply so much to see and do in Cowlitz County. Enjoy live shows presented by national acts at the historic Columbia Theatre, Thursday concerts during the summer on the banks of Lake Sacajawea, or stirring performances by the Southwest Washington Symphony. Take in the historic displays at the Cowlitz County Museum, the Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, or the Lelooska Foundation Museum. Treat yourself to a day of shopping at Three Rivers Mall in Kelso or the Triangle Center in Longview. Browse the antique stores in Kalama or the unique shops in historic downtown Longview. And when you’re ready for a break, you’ll have a full range of options, from fine dining to that specially brewed cup of espresso. Stretch your legs with a round of golf at a championship course, or take a walk or jog along the Coweeman River at Tam O’Shanter Park in Kelso, along the Cowlitz on the Riverfront Trail in Castle Rock, or along the Columbia at Marine Park in Kalama.
Longview was officially incorporated in 1924. The city was the brain child of timber baron Robert A. Long. At the time of its conception, Longview was the only planned city of its magnitude to have ever been conceived of and built entirely with private funds. Classic architecture has been part of the city’s heritage since the beginning. See it on display at the Columbia Theatre, the Monticello Hotel, R. A. Long High School, the Merk, the Rutherglen Mansion, the post office, and the Longview Public Library.
Quick Links Toutle Valley Kalama
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