After entering the Inland Empire and traveling through miles and miles of wheat fields, we’ve finally made it to Marlin, Washington! This tiny hamlet (population 65) is located in a small valley in the middle of the high desert region known as the Columbia Plateau.
Marlin is the smallest incorporated area in the state of Washington, but it’s legal name is actually Krupp, which is what they named it when it was first incorporated in 1911. During World War I, there was more famous Krupp – a munitions factory in Germany – so the village decided to rename their post office to “Marlin” to avoid any sort of association. Marlin’s stuck as a name, and it’s what all the locals call it. Google Maps sees it differently (unless you really zoom in):
I was actually able to get a hold of a resident of Marlin, who wrote me back! Since we’re in such a small community, the resident preferred to remain anonymous, but was very kind and allowed me to print their email about Marlin:
Goodness, why ever would you want to come here, LOL. Maybe you’ll see a cow? There is nothing here. We have a post office, and a grain depot and that’s all. I do not know much about the city, but it’s old. I haven’t lived here long, only a year.
The people who live here are almost all older retired folks who mostly keep to themselves. We travel out of our city to shop at either Ephrata or Moses Lake. I am not sure what people do for fun, but my family we like to ride our horses.
Other than that we like to keep a low profile ;0)
Well, maybe we will all see a cow – I don’t remember having seen one in Wenatchee or any of the other places we’ve been to so far! I’m sure we must have passed tons of them on the way, though. We’ll keep an eye out.
Tomorrow: a little sight-seeing in the region around Marlin, then off again!
Tags: marlin, usa, Washington
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