Ritzville, Washington — Wheat Town That Had to Import Water

Ritzville began as a Northern Pacific station in country with excellent wheat potential and an inconvenient shortage of water.

Farmers arrived anyway.

Many were Volga Germans whose families had experience with dry steppe agriculture before migrating to the United States.

Wheat spread across Adams County, and Ritzville became the county seat.

By the early twentieth century, the town had become one of the country's great wheat-shipping points.

Keeping residents hydrated was briefly less straightforward.

Before deep wells provided a dependable supply, water had to be hauled in by rail.

The railroad created Ritzville and, for a while, delivered one of the ingredients required to keep the town alive.

Banks, hotels and substantial civic buildings followed agricultural prosperity.

The wheat was local.

The drinking water needed transportation.