About Ritzville, Washington State
The region in which Ritzville lies is the Columbia River Basin, a huge, flat plain (as you can see on a 3-D map of Washington State). In the later 1800s, the region's first settlers, all cattlemen, arrived. By 1880, it was realized that the area, whose low rainfall seemed to discourage agriculture, was actually excellent wheat country. By the next year, Philip Ritz, after whom the city is named, had brought the railroad to town to serve the farmers now coming in to Ritzville, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Ritzville today, though still well-rooted in agriculture, is striding firmly into the 21st century. But the community is vividly aware of, and deeply committed to preserving, its rich cultural history. The two present history museums of Ritzville are a part of that preservation, and well worth a stopoff at or even a special trip to Ritzville. But there is much more here to make such a stopoff or trip worth anyone's while. So visit our museums, and take advantage of these other attractions too.
Ritzville's New Water Park
Ritzville's very new water park features not just one, but two great pools.
The recreational pool has a zero-depth entry wading area, pop-up jets, a
flowing dew drop, and--new this season--the lurking alligator. And you can't miss
the park's wonderful trademark giant yellow spiraling whitewater slide!
Meanwhile, for the older kids, the park has a large lap pool with both a diving board and a drop slide.
The well-stocked concession stand is accessible both from inside the pool area and from the adjacent city park. And, after getting a snack, saunter over to our grassy (and well-shaded) picnic area. Or bring your lunch with you and spend the whole day with us.
Note: visitors do not require bathing outfits to use the water-park facilities! Any clothing except badly tattered cutoffs and the like (which are lint problems) is acceptable. C'mon down!
Ritzville's Golf Course
Overview:
Status: Public
Holes: 9
Season: February 15th to November 15th
Tee Times: first come, first served
Advance Tee Times: Not Accepted
Dress Code: Shirt and shoes required
Greens: Bent Grass
Fairways: Bluegrass
Course Manager: Cory Morley
Course Profile:
This course has narrow, tree-lined fairways and small greens. There are no water hazards, but there are plenty of sand bunkers throughout the course. The flat terrain makes this a great course to walk.
| Tee | Par | Yardage | Course Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's | 70 | 5597 | 66.8 | 116 |
| Ladies' | 72 | 5597 | 72.5 | 124 |
Fees:
Please call the course to confirm current fees.
Green fee, 9 holes - $12.00
Green fee, 18 holes - $18.00
Club rental: $5.00
Pull cart: $2.00
Power cart, 18 holes: $20.00
Amenities:
Beer and Wine
Snack Bar
Contact Information:
The telephone number is (509) 659-9868.
Ritzville's City Park
This peaceful park, with picnic tables and grills available, has a fine gazebo and a
colorful children's play area with swings and more. This park adjoins the city's
new water park.
Ritzville's Period Buildings
Ritzville has had the good fortune to have retained many of its charming period buildings, a surprisingly high percentage of them in fine condition.
From delightful cupolas on main street to elegant residences near the downtown, the Ritzville of today offers a clear sight of the Ritzville--and the Pacific Northwest--of yesteryear.
There is a popular self-guided walking tour of Ritzville's historic district, with plaques at key locations along the way; but even a casual stroll around Ritzville's business and residential areas will reward the visitor interested in the peaceful times gone by.
This is how it was a century or so ago . . .
and this is how it is today . . . not so very different!
Ritzville's classic Carnegie Library is on the United States National Register of Historic Places, as are several places in and around Ritzville (including the Burroughs Historic Home museum site).
Self-Guided Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Ritzville
This 36-page booklet is not only a sturdily printed guidebook to a pleasant and informative hour or so of strolling about historic Ritzville, it is a richly informative little history book and a wonderful souvenir of historic Ritzville.
It is available, free, at the Ritzville Chamber of Commerce, the Ritzville Public Library, and at many merchants in Ritzville.
