Yakima Washington. Yakima Real Estate. Yakima WA Living.

Yakima Washington. Yakima Real Estate. Yakima WA Living.

Yakima Valley WA Real Estate
Those interested in residential real estate in Yakima Washington will find many types and styles of homes for sale in Yakima, as well as community events of interest and local amenities unique to the Yakima area. Others may enjoy outdoor activities and family friendly atmosphere of Yakima, WA.

If you are considering buying or selling property, planning to relocate, looking for Yakima homes for sale, or looking for any other information about real estate in Yakima, or the surrounding areas, you have come to the right place. You can also find a Yakima real estate agent, REALTOR or real estate broker to help you with you buy or sell a home, and find information about Yakima communities , schools, real estate market conditions, recreation and much more!

The Yakima Valley
The pleasure of visiting Yakima, Washington has been one of the Northwest's best-kept secrets. But the word is getting out about this amazing Washington wine country location. Our popularity could be the 300 days of sunshine each year. Or maybe the year-round recreational opportunities and resources like the Yakima Convention Center are what make Yakima so hard to resist. Perhaps it's the agricultural bounty and the amazing Yakima wine of this beautiful oasis that invites a closer look.

Yakima WA Wine Country
Winery-hopping in the Yakima Valley is an unforgettable journey of delightful discovery for those seeking the good life and great wines. Across this sun-soaked WA wine region, in the same latitude as the great wine-producing regions of France, magnificent vineyards feature trellises laden with rich grape varietals. Local vintners invite you to savor their prized harvests and collect their handcrafted, award-winning wines.

Mineral-rich soil and entrepreneurial spirit have created a Washington State wine growing culture serious about its product but festive in its presentation. Whether a major producer or limited production, the character each vineyard portrays is as varied as the region's varietals.

Yakima History
The Yakama people were the first inhabitants of the Yakima Valley. In 1805 the Lewis and Clark Expedition came to the area and discovered abundant wildlife and rich soil, prompting the settlement of homesteaders. A Catholic Mission was established in Ahtanum, southwest of present-day Yakima, in 1847. The arrival of settlers and their conflicts with the natives resulted in the Yakama Indian War of 1855. The U.S. Army established Fort Simcoe in 1856 near present-day Toppenish as a response to the uprising. The Yakamas were defeated and forced onto the Yakama Indian Reservation. Yakima County was created in 1865. When bypassed by the Northern Pacific Railroad in December 1884, over 100 buildings were moved with rollers and horse teams to the nearby site of the depot. The new city was dubbed North Yakima and was officially incorporated and named the county seat on January 27, 1886. The name was changed to Yakima in 1918. Union Gap was the new name given to the original site of Yakima.

Yakima WA Region
The city of Yakima is located in the Upper Valley of Yakima County. The county is geographically divided by Ahtanum Ridge and Rattlesnake Ridge into two regions: the Upper (northern) and Lower (southern) valleys. Yakima is located in the more urbanized Upper Valley, and is the central city of the Yakima Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The cities of Selah and Union Gap lie immediately to the north and south of Yakima. In addition, the unincorporated suburban areas of West Valley and Terrace Heights are considered a part of greater Yakima. Other nearby cities include Moxee, Tieton, and Naches in the Upper Valley, as well as Wapato, Toppenish, Zillah, Harrah, White Swan, Granger, Mabton, Sunnyside, and Grandview in the Lower Valley. As of 2006, the estimated population of the metropolitan area is 233,105

Yakima Bodies of water
The primary irrigation source for the Yakima Valley, the Yakima River, runs through Yakima from its source at Lake Keechelus in the Cascade Range to the Columbia River at Richland. In Yakima, the river is used for both fishing and recreation. A 10-mile (16 km) walking and cycling trail, a park, and a wildlife sanctuary are located at the river's edge.

The Naches River forms the northern border of the city. Several small lakes flank the northern edge of the city, including Myron Lake, Lake Aspen, Bergland Lake (private) and Rotary Lake (also known as Freeway Lake). These lakes are popular with fishermen and swimmers during the summer.

Culture
Cultural activities and events take place throughout the year. The Yakima Valley Museum houses exhibits related to the region’s geology and history, a restored soda fountain, and periodic special exhibitions. Downtown Yakima’s historic Capitol Theater and Seasons Performance Hall, as well as the Westside’s Warehouse Theater, present numerous musical and stage productions. The city is home to the Yakima Symphony Orchestra. The Yakima Area Arboretum is a botanical garden featuring species of both native and adapted non-native plants. Popular music tours, trade shows, and other large events are hosted at the Yakima Sundome in State Fair Park.

All America City Award
In 1994, the City of Yakima received the All-America City Award, given by the National Civic League. Because only ten U.S. cities receive this award per year, Yakima's status was greatly boosted by this momentous occasion. Many people now consider Yakima a very magnanimous city.

Yakima WA Festivals
Central Washington State Fair - at State Fair Park, held each fall in late September.
Yakima Folklife Festival, held the second week of July in Franklin Park.
Yakima Farmer’s Market, on Sundays from May to October in Downtown Yakima.
Fresh Hop Ale Festival, each October in Downtown Yakima

Yakima Washington Notable current and former residents
Oleta Adams, singer
Mario Batali, Celebrity Chef
Phil Beachler, Inventor of the baby jogger. Started Racing Strollers, Inc. in Yakima.
Glen Bonner, NFL Football player (1974-75)
Yakima Canutt, Hollywood stuntman
Raymond Carver, author
Charles Carter, Olympic and Professional Boxer[2]
Beverly Cleary, author
Harlond Clift, Major League Baseball player (1934-45)
Cary Conklin, NFL Football player (1992-1995)
Mike Cragg, Duke University Associate AD / Legacy Fund Director
Dr. Dan Doornink, NFL football player (1978-1985)
William O. Douglas, U.S. Supreme Court associate justice
Dave Edler, Former Major League Baseball Player, City of Yakima Mayor
Scott Hatteberg, Major League Baseball player
Joe Hipp, Professional Boxing (former NABF Heavyweight Champion 1994)
Damon Huard, NFL Football player (1998-Current)
Bob Ivers, Actor, local TV personality
Basil James, Jockey (won the 1942 Preakness)
Harry Jefferson, NASCAR Winston Cup driver (1973-77)
Sam Kinison, actor/comedian
Hub Kittle, Major League Baseball player and coach.
Jake Kupp, NFL Football player (1964-1975) and 1969 Pro Bowl player
Craig Kupp, NFL Football player (1991) Phoenix Cardinals
Robert Lucas, Jr., Nobel prize winning economist
Barbara La Marr, actor/writer
Kyle MacLachlan, actor
Kent MacLachlan, actor
Debbie Macomber, author
Kathleeen Maddox, Mother of Charles Manson
Phil Mahre, Olympics medal-winning skier and twin brother of Steve Mahre
Steve Mahre, Olympic medal-winning skier and twin brother of Phil Mahre
Mitch Meluskey, Major League Baseball player
Colleen Miller, actress
Arvo Ojala, Hollywood actor and quick-draw artist
Dain Paulson, former professional football player
Floyd Paxton, Inventor of the plastic bread clip and Kwik Lok
Jim Pomeroy, Motocross racer, elected to AMA Hall of Fame in 1999.
Will Sampson, actor/artist
Kurt Schulz, NFL football player
Mel Stottlemyre, Major League Baseball player for the Yankees, Mets and Astros
Mel Stottlemyre, Jr., Major League Baseball player and son of Mel Stottlemyre Sr.
Todd Stottlemyre, Major League Baseball player with the Blue Jays, Athletics and Cardinals, son of Mel Stottlemyre Sr. and brother of Mel Stottlemyre Jr.
Bob Wells, Major League Baseball player for the Mariners, Twins, and Phillies (1996 pitcher of the year Seattle Mariners)For Career Information http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wellsbo01.shtml
Christopher Wiehl, actor
Henry Woods, boxer, challenged for the World Light welterweight championship in 1935. [3]
Chief Yowlachie (Daniel Simmons), actor