Ronald, Washington — Coal Town Above Roslyn

Ronald developed uphill from Roslyn because new coal mines opened north of the older town.

Workers built homes near the shafts, creating a distinct community within the same mining district.

The workforce drew immigrants from across Europe and elsewhere. Churches, fraternal organizations, languages and labor politics followed them into the upper Kittitas Valley.

Coal supplied steam locomotives crossing the Cascades until dieselization and changing energy markets undermined the industry.

The mines closed and population contracted.

Ronald remained inhabited.

Recreation and development around Cle Elum Lake later added a different economy to country once organized around underground work.

The shafts went quiet.

The workers' town stayed above them.