A'roaming: Cashmere

I suspect that most people (assuming they’ve heard of it) would think Cashmere is related in some way to the woolen trade, not that Washington is renowned for goats, but far more likely than being named for Kashmir in India. However, it is the latter which is in fact correct.

Cashmere was originally called Mission, but this was confusing due to there being another Mission not too far away. The local judge decided the area reminiscent of the foothills in Kashmir and so chose the name. Perhaps it’s some kind of prejudice that makes it hard to believe – it sounds remote and harsh doesn’t it – though if you hunt around on the web, you’ll find some pictures of lush meadows with peaks beyond that are indeed Kashmir. Maybe he wasn’t too far off the mark…

So why stop on highway 2, what does Cashmere have to offer? Well it’s perhaps most famous for the museum and pioneer village. Both were closed on my visit, but the village is visible to passers by…

As you can probably guess, the railroad ran along the riverside, though initially there was no stop and the town didn’t see the consequential boom. The waterwheel was actually used for irrigation of an orchard but built from parts that came from a steamboat.

Downtown Cashmere is quaint and sleepy…

Here you’ll find another museum for Cashmere’s Applets and Cotlets – well, you have to do something with all those apples. There’s also a more modern industry springing up thanks to changes in Washington’s liquor laws.