About Buckley

 
  Why is Buckley on a plateau?   

 

  How did this plateau form? Why is the area so challenging for farming? 


The reason is because the plateau was formed about 5700 years ago by a volcanic mudflow (lahar) from Mt Rainier (see map below).

A huge landslide removed 3 cubic kilometers (0.7 cubic miles) from the summit of Mount Rainier. (The landslide removed the top 600 meters (2,000 feet), leaving a summit crater. Subsequent volcanic eruptions created the modern summit cone with the crater.). This one single event created 200 square miles of land in a matter of hours, with waves of mud 20 feet to 600 feet high. This wall of mud had the consistency of wet concrete and traveled up to 60 mph. This mudflow destroyed everything in its path, uprooting entire old-growth forests. It hit Puget Sound with such force and with so much material that it flowed underwater for 15 miles, maybe farther. An area of hundreds of square miles was covered with mud and debris up to 350 feet deep (see movie below).

The reason why water does not drain well here - making farming difficult - is because of this mudflow. Geologically, there has not been much time for topsoil to form - much of our area has only about 12-16 inches of topsoil, and directly under this topsoil is the remains of the mudflow. Water does not percolate into the mudflow, and this results in our having standing water at the surface for periods during the winter.


          Click here to play a short movie depicting the Osceola mudflow    
Extent of mudflows                    [1.2 mb .mpg file, ~10 seconds in length]
     (click to enlarge)


Chronological History of Buckley 1856 – Decisive battle of Indian War fought at Connell’s Prairie, 6 miles west of Buckley.
1875 - Coal discovered at Wilkeson.
1875 – Jerry Stilley, first permanent non-Indian resident, settled West of town.
1877 – Railroad built from Tacoma to Wilkeson to transport coal.
1882 – Town named ”Perkin’s Prairie".
1884 – Northern Pacific built railroad spur track from Cascade Junction (between South Prairie and       Buckley) to Perkin’s Prairie. Town given name ”White River Siding“ by railroad men.
1885 – Town’s first store erected by ”Dad“ Chamberlain.
1887 – Town renamed ”Buckley“ for J.M. Buckley, Northern Pacific Railway district superintendent.
1887 – First school established.
1888 – Town site platted by Alexander and Mary Wickersham. Town booming with lumber and shingle mills springing up overnight.
1889 – First post office established.
1889 – District Court appointed five men as trustees of the Town of Buckley.
1889 – First newspaper printed and published in Buckley. -The Buckley Banner.
1890 – Town incorporated by electorate.
1890 – Buckley Lodge 75, IOOF, chartered.
1890 – Western Star Lodge, F&AM, chartered.
1891 – Land donated for Buckley cemetery.
1892 – First church built.
June 17 1892 – New school built at present site of White River Middle School on A Street.
1892- World’s Fair- Buckley Mills sell wood, shingles, and supplies to be used at the World’s Fair Exhibit Buildings.
May 5 1892- Business District almost wiped out fire. Started on second story of the Buckley Lumber Store.
1892 – First organized water system established.
1893-Fire Department in Buckley was established on Feb. 24th. Dr. JH Sheets was selected as a honorary member to act as a surgeon.
October 17 1894-First fire dept. dance. Ladies-free Men-$0.25 Children as spectators for $0.10 1894 – Eola Rebekah Lodge chartered.
July 6 1895-discussion of entering first 4th of July parade, uniforms and plans to build station were finalized.
1897 –Women’s Musical & Literary Club founded.
1898 – Business district razed by fire.
1900 – Mt. Rainier Chapter, OES, chartered.
1902 – Addition built on schoolhouse.
1902 – Degree of Honor chartered.
1902 – First library established.
1905 – First high school graduation held.
1906 – Buckley Aerie 1387, FOE, chartered.
1907 – Gravity water system built; water stored in reservoir still in use by town.
1907 – First general use of electricity.
1909 – Marion Grange chartered.
1909 – School burned to ground.
1909 – Town established fire department to replace Columbia Hose Company, a private fire-fighting group.
1910 – New brick school built on A Street.
1911 – White River Power Plant completed. (Headwork, flume, powerhouse.)
1911 – Present town hall built.
1912 – Plank streets replaced by paving.
1914 – Wickersham elementary school built.
1920 – Large section of business district leveled by fire.
1923 – Vocational unit added to high school building.
1927 – FOE Auxiliary 1387 chartered.
1928 – Buckley Kiwanis Club chartered.
1929 – Town purchased pumper fire truck to replace hand-drawn equipment.
1931 – Carbon Glacier Post 1414, VFW, chartered.
1937 – Buckley Garden Club organized.
1939 – Rainier School officially opened.
1939 – Work commenced on Mud Mountain Dam on White River.
1942 – Mud Mountain Dam completed.
1944 – Buckley railroad logging ended with closure of Buckley Logging Company mill.
1946 – City limits extended to include Rainier School and farms south of town.
1947 – Last company-operated coal mining discontinued.
1947 – Additional construction at Rainier School.
1948 – Kindergarten class instituted.
1949 – Additional construction at Rainier School.
1949 – Buckley and Enumclaw school districts consolidated.
1950 – Buckley Business & Professional Women’s Club chartered.
1951 – Rural Fire District No. 12 organized.
1952 – New fire station built.
1952 – Additional construction at Rainier School.
1952 – Sewage disposal plant built.
1953 - Purchase of a 1941 Packard as first aid car by fire dept. for $945.
1953 – Wickersham school annex built.
1953 – White River School District (Buckley-Enumclaw) de-consolidated.
1955 – Buckley Planning Commission created.
1956 – New gymnasium built at high school.
1956 – Ida Marge Orthopedic Guild chartered.
1957 – Town established natural gas utility.
1957 – Buckley Junior Chamber of Commerce chartered.
1958 – New street signs erected.
1959 – Northern Pacific railroad depot torn down.

Compiled by Jessica Gallion, 2005

Taken from the files of the City of Buckley and Buckley Library


Dermographics, Numbers, & History
 

Incorporated: 1889

County: Pierce

Congressional District: 8

Legislative District: 31

2004 Estimated Population: 4510

Total Area: 4.1 Square Miles

Latitude: 47.16538

Longitude: -122.02369


Census Tract: 702.07 [Block Groups 1-4]




Total population 4,145 100
SEX AND AGE    
Male 2,096 50.6
Female 2,049 49.4
     
Under 5 years 270 6.5
5 to 9 years 276 6.7
10 to 14 years 364 8.8
15 to 19 years 271 6.5
20 to 24 years 220 5.3
25 to 34 years 577 13.9
35 to 44 years 764 18.4
45 to 54 years 666 16.1
55 to 59 years 216 5.2
60 to 64 years 146 3.5
65 to 74 years 216 5.2
75 to 84 years 123 3
85 years and over 36 0.9
     
Median age (years) 36.4 (X)

RACE    
One race 4,022 97
White 3,887 93.8
Black or African American 26 0.6
American Indian and Alaska Native 47 1.1
Asian 32 0.8


RELATIONSHIP    
Total population 4,145 100
In households 3,699 89.2
Householder 1,396 33.7
Spouse 757 18.3
Child 1,227 29.6
Own child under 18 years 1,018 24.6
Other relatives 123 3
Under 18 years 55 1.3
Nonrelatives 196 4.7
Unmarried partner 91 2.2
In group quarters 446 10.8
Institutionalized population 23 0.6
Noninstitutionalized population 423 10.2


HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE    
Total households 1,396 100
Family households (families) 995 71.3
With own children under 18 years 537 38.5
Married-couple family 757 54.2
With own children under 18 years 384 27.5
Female householder, no husband present 172 12.3
With own children under 18 years 109 7.8
Nonfamily households 401 28.7
Householder living alone 308 22.1
Householder 65 years and over 101 7.2
     
Households with individuals under 18 years 573 41
Households with individuals 65 years and over 260 18.6
     
Average household size 2.65 (X)
Average family size 3.12 (X)

Subject Number Percent


EMPLOYMENT STATUS    
Population 16 years and over 3,134 100
In labor force 2,276 72.6
Civilian labor force 2,276 72.6
Employed 2,120 67.6
Unemployed 156 5
Percent of civilian labor force 6.9 (X)
Armed Forces 0 0
Not in labor force 858 27.4


COMMUTING TO WORK    
Workers 16 years and over 2,075 100
Car, truck, or van -- drove alone 1,370 66
Car, truck, or van -- carpooled 275 13.3
Public transportation (including taxicab) 0 0
Walked 277 13.3
Other means 110 5.3
Worked at home 43 2.1
Mean travel time to work (minutes) 26.7 (X)
     
Employed civilian population 16 years and over 2,120 100
OCCUPATION    
Management, professional, and related occupations 495 23.3
Service occupations 412 19.4
Sales and office occupations 479 22.6
Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations 7 0.3
Construction, extraction, and maintenance occupations 299 14.1
Production, transportation, and material moving occupations 428 20.2

INCOME IN 1999    
Households 1,355 100
Less than $10,000 49 3.6
$10,000 to $14,999 72 5.3
$15,000 to $24,999 123 9.1
$25,000 to $34,999 149 11
$35,000 to $49,999 295 21.8
$50,000 to $74,999 376 27.7
$75,000 to $99,999 224 16.5
$100,000 to $149,999 36 2.7
$150,000 to $199,999 31 2.3
$200,000 or more 0 0
Median household income (dollars) 49,453 (X)

POVERTY STATUS IN 1999 (below poverty level)    
Families 34 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 3.6
With related children under 18 years 34 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 6
With related children under 5 years 0 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 0
     
Families with female householder, no husband present 22 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 11.3
With related children under 18 years 22 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 15.2
With related children under 5 years 0 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 0
     
Individuals 335 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 8.3
18 years and over 257 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 8.7
65 years and over 17 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 4.9
Related children under 18 years 68 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 6.4
Related children 5 to 17 years 68 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 8.4
Unrelated individuals 15 years and over 216 (X)
Percent below poverty level (X) 21.4
 (X) Not applicable.    
 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 3,
Matrices P30, P32, P33, P43, P46,P49, P50, P51, P52, P53, P58, P62,
P63, P64, P65, P67, P71, P72, P73, P74, P76, P77, P82, P87, P90, PCT47, PCT52, and PCT53

Subject Number Percent
     
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT    
Population 3 years and over enrolled in school 926 100
Nursery school, preschool 48 5.2
Kindergarten 93 10
Elementary school (grades 1-8) 400 43.2
High school (grades 9-12) 289 31.2
College or graduate school 96 10.4
     
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT    
Population 25 years and over 2,688 100
Less than 9th grade 269 10
9th to 12th grade, no diploma 278 10.3
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 1,053 39.2
Some college, no degree 680 25.3
Associate degree 159 5.9
Bachelor's degree 206 7.7
Graduate or professional degree 43 1.6
     
Percent high school graduate or higher 79.7 (X)
Percent bachelor's degree or higher 9.3 (X)
     
MARITAL STATUS    
Population 15 years and over 3,182 100
Never married 825 25.9
Now married, except separated 1,697 53.3
Separated 48 1.5
Widowed 178 5.6
Female 146 4.6
Divorced 434 13.6
Female 248 7.8
     
GRANDPARENTS AS CAREGIVERS    
Grandparent living in household with one or more own grandchildren under 18 years 77 100
Grandparent responsible for grandchildren 20 26
     
VETERAN STATUS    
Civilian population 18 years and over 2,964 100
Civilian veterans 427 14.4
 
Subject Number Percent
HOUSING OCCUPANCY    
Total housing units 1,472 100
Occupied housing units 1,396 94.8
Vacant housing units 76 5.2
For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use 6 0.4
     
Homeowner vacancy rate (percent) 3.3 (X)
Rental vacancy rate (percent) 3.5 (X)
     
HOUSING TENURE    
Occupied housing units 1,396 100
Owner-occupied housing units 1,015 72.7
Renter-occupied housing units 381 27.3
     
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.76 (X)
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.35 (X)


Subject Number Percent
     
Total housing units 1,443 100
UNITS IN STRUCTURE    
1-unit, detached 1,128 78.2
1-unit, attached 44 3
2 units 85 5.9
3 or 4 units 76 5.3
5 to 9 units 20 1.4
10 to 19 units 7 0.5
20 or more units 14 1
Mobile home 69 4.8
Boat, RV, van, etc. 0 0
     
YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT    
1999 to March 2000 109 7.6
1995 to 1998 105 7.3
1990 to 1994 147 10.2
1980 to 1989 206 14.3
1970 to 1979 168 11.6
1960 to 1969 214 14.8
1940 to 1959 201 13.9
1939 or earlier 293 20.3

Occupied Housing Units 1,359 100
YEAR HOUSEHOLDER MOVED INTO UNIT    
1999 to March 2000 325 23.9
1995 to 1998 431 31.7
1990 to 1994 173 12.7
1980 to 1989 206 15.2
1970 to 1979 95 7
1969 or earlier 129 9.5
     
VEHICLES AVAILABLE    
None 46 3.4
1 396 29.1
2 533 39.2
3 or more 384 28.3
     
HOUSE HEATING FUEL    
Utility gas 842 62
Bottled, tank, or LP gas 16 1.2
Electricity 414 30.5
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. 14 1
Coal or coke 0 0
Wood 58 4.3
Solar energy 0 0
Other fuel 15 1.1
No fuel used 0 0

SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER COSTS AS A PERCENTAGE    
OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN 1999    
Less than 15 percent 229 26.4
15 to 19 percent 169 19.4
20 to 24 percent 128 14.7
25 to 29 percent 128 14.7
30 to 34 percent 71 8.2
35 percent or more 134 15.4
Not computed 10 1.2

GROSS RENT AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN 1999    
Less than 15 percent 75 21.2
15 to 19 percent 80 22.6
20 to 24 percent 45 12.7
25 to 29 percent 63 17.8
30 to 34 percent 6 1.7
35 percent or more 65 18.4
Not computed 20 5.6
 (X) Not applicable.    
 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 3,
Matrices H1, H7, H20, H23, H24, H30, H34, H38, H40, H43, H44,
H48, H51, H62, H63, H69, H74, H76, H90, H91, and H94


Household Size              
  Block Group 1, Census Tract 702.07, Pierce County, Washington Block Group 2, Census Tract 702.07, Pierce County, Washington Block Group 3, Census Tract 702.07, Pierce County, Washington Block Group 4, Census Tract 702.07, Pierce County, Washington Average Total %
Total: 391 405 260 518   1574  
1-person household 82 68 60 118 82 328 20.8%
2-person household 159 133 93 159 136 544 34.6%
3-person household 37 99 28 116 70 280 17.8%
4-person household 93 59 33 65 62.5 250 15.9%
5-person household 20 18 18 45 25.25 101 6.4%
6-person household 0 28 14 15 14.25 57 3.6%
7-or-more-person household 0 0 14 0 3.5 14 0.9%
Source:              
H16. HOUSEHOLD SIZE [8] - Universe: Occupied housing units            
Data Set: Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF 3) - Sample Data            










Home  Government  Departments  Community  Business  Directory  Employment  Links  Legal 

© 2012 City of Buckley • All Rights Reserved

(360) 829-1921 • 933 Main Street • PO Box 1960 • Buckley WA 98321

Privacy Policy • Terms of Use • Disclaimer