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About Methow Valley • Lodging • Activities • Events • Shop & Eat • News • Deals • Reviews |
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About Methow Valley, Washington | Click here to see lodging list |  |
The scenic Methow Valley is a land of constant wonder. Thick forests of lush evergreens cover the nearby lower slopes of the towering Cascade Mountain Range. Once you enter the valley, the forest melts away and is replaced by picture-perfect meadows surrounded by rolling hills covered with purple sage and scattered pines. Tall cottonwood trees form a canopy over the sleepy Methow River. In recent years the valley has become a favorite with river rafters, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers. The valley offers excellent accommodations and gourmet restaurants as well a relaxed country atmosphere traditionally to the true West. At the heart of the Winthrop area is the Virginian Resorts and Vittles Cowboy Café managed by Sunspot Resorts of Seattle. HISTORY The valley was originally the homeland of Native Americans. The first white settlers came in the 1880s, lured there by rumors gold in the valley’s streams and hills. The town itself was founded in 1891 by Guy Waring from the east coast, who opened the Methow Trading Company. A devastating fire in 1893 nearly destroyed the small frontier town. Waring was forced to seek additional financial backing from eastern bankers. When he returned in 1897, Waring incorporated the town and named it in honor of John Winthrop, the famed colonial governor of Massachusetts. Waring stayed in business for nearly half a century and, at one time, owned nearly every building on the main street of Winthrop, excluding the town hall. THE VIRGINIAN NOVELS One of Waring's old Harvard classmates, Owen Wister, came west to visit him. Later he would incorporate his friend's western experiences in his famous novel, THE VIRGINIAN. Many considered his book to be the first true novel about the West. After the failure of gold mining in the area, the valley seemed headed toward oblivion. Lumber and ranching offer the only regional employment available. Even the resourceful Guy Waring went bankrupt and had to return east. END OF THE ROAD For the next several decades the Methow Valley became the hidden treasure of the Northwest, often enjoyed only by local residents. But in the late 1960’s the scenic North Cascades Highway was completed. Inspired by the successful transformation of the nearby community of Leavenworth, the citizens of Winthrop began looking for a way to let the world known about the marvels of the Methow Valley. A local community leader, Kathryn Wagner, offered to match all development funds. Working together with leading western architects, the Valley dusted off its old western heritage and got ready for guests. By the time the first cars crossed Washington Pass in 1972, the valley was ready to share the best of the West with their long awaited visitors. Today the Methow Valley continues this tradition and will greet you with a "Howdy! Glad to see ya!" From tasty dinners to locally brewed beer and wine, the Methow Valley is an experience of how the true west really was, and still is today! As the locals like to say, "In the Methow Valley our cowboys are really real." |
 Sunspots News & Events
VRIA Announces Vacation Rental Angels Program (12/25/09) VRIA.org — On Christmas Day, the Vacation Rental Industry Association (VRIA) announced the creation of a program to recognize its members who regularly donate vacation home use to charitable causes. "The num... click to read story » Home Rentals at Olympics Make Charity A Winner (12/22/09) Seattle Times Newspaper — Imagine sitting in a luxury, three-bedroom home in Whistler, B.C., looking out of your living room as the world's top ski racers zoom across the finish line in the men's downhill or giant slalom at t... click to read story » Washington State's more Remote Luxury Retreat (12/15/09) Sunspots.info — Can I invite you to the most remote and luxurious mountain lodges in Washingto State? It is called the Chief Joseph Lodge and sits smack dab in the middle of the state and five miles up from the su... click to read story » |
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