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• About the City of Ellensburg

Ellensburg was officially incorporated on November 26, 1883. It was named in 1885 by the first postmaster, John A. Shoudy, after his wife Mary Ellen. The city was originally named Ellensburgh, until the final -h was dropped under standardization pressure from the United States Postal Service and Board of Geography Names in 1894. Ellensburg is one of the cities featured in the Hank Snow song, "I've Been Everywhere." Also recorded by Johnny Cash.

The building on the top of the page is the Davidson building, one of the most recognizable landmarks in Ellensburg. The Davidson Building was under construction at the time of the Great Fire and shares architect J. B. Randall and builder William Ames. Its most distinctive feature is a three-foot Phoenix atop the pediment on the south facade. The Phoenix symbolizes downtown Ellensburg's rebirth from the ashes of the 1889 Great Fire.

Ellensburg attorney, and later judge, J. B. Davidson commissioned the building. Designed in an Italianate style, it features recessed entryways, a corner turret, ornately arched windows, and prefabricated pressed-tin decorative elements that mimic expensive stone work. The Davidson is the only remaining downtown building with a tower. The building was remodeled in 1909 and renovated in 1979.

The Building to the right is Barge Hall on the Campus of Central Washington University. Central Washington University originally opened up as Washington State Normal School in 1891. The school was founded to educate future elementary and junior high teachers. In 1894, the Washington State Normal School's first building was constructed and given the name Barge Hall. Before 1894, classes were held at the Washington Public School in Ellensburg.

The school's name changed to Central Washington College of Education in 1947, Central Washington State College in 1961, and finally to Central Washington University in 1977. It continues to be one of the fastest growing universities in the state of Washington.