Malaga, Washington — From Grapes to Aluminum to Fusion

Malaga has changed industries often enough to make reinvention part of its history.

Early settlers used irrigation to establish orchards and vineyards on dry ground above the Columbia. The community, platted in 1903, took its name from grapes grown in the area.

Heavy industry arrived in the twentieth century when an aluminum plant south of Wenatchee brought jobs and housing.

The plant eventually closed, but industrial land and abundant Columbia River hydropower remained valuable.

More recently, Helion Energy selected the area for development of a commercial fusion-power project.

Whether fusion fulfills its enormous promises remains a question for the future.

The continuity is still remarkable.

Malaga began by moving water onto dry land to grow grapes. Now engineers are trying to make a star work there.