The rich, fertile land of the Columbia Basin was first inhabited in the early 1800’s by Native American people, the “Chemnapums”. It wasn’t until 1878 when Ben and Mary Rosencrance homesteaded 1,700 acres on the north side of the Yakima River that this remote fertile area would begin to realize its potential. In 1904, W.R. Amon, along with his 27 year old banker son, Howard, would buy the Rosencrance and Nelson Rich Ranches and replace the water wheels constructed by the Rosencrance family with a gas pump, which drew water from the Yakima River, to irrigate the cultivated land. The Amons founded the Benton Water Company in 1905, built a bank and hotel and soon began selling 10 acre tracts of land to attract people to the Richland area. Named by the local residents for its rich, fertile soil, Richland quickly began to prosper and thrive.
Through its historical photos and displays, visitors to CREHST can learn about the humble beginnings of Richland, WA and its evolution into a prosperous community.