Grand Coulee, Washington — Private Town Beside the Government Town

Grand Coulee grew because thousands of workers arrived to build Grand Coulee Dam.

But it was not the federal town.

The government developed neighboring Coulee Dam with planned housing and facilities. Grand Coulee grew more commercially, with stores, taverns, lodging and services catering to the construction workforce.

That distinction gave two nearby communities different personalities around the same project.

When peak construction ended, Grand Coulee had to survive the disappearance of much of its temporary population.

The dam itself supplied the answer.

Permanent operations, tourism and nearby Banks Lake kept economic activity tied to the project long after the concrete crews left.

The government built one town.

Commerce built the other.