Interested in fun facts and the history of Ione, WA?
Then read on!
1. Ione was founded in 1888 by a group of miners who had been working in the area.
2. The town was originally named "Minersville" but was changed to "Ione" by the postmaster, who chose the name from Greek mythology.
3. Ione was the first incorporated city in Stevens County, Washington.
4. In 1900, Ione had a population of over 500 people and boasted numerous businesses including a hotel, two general stores, two blacksmiths, and a saloon.
5. During World War II, Ione saw an influx of workers coming to work at the nearby Grand Coulee Dam project.
6. In 1947, Ione was connected to the rest of the county with a road, making it easily accessible to travelers and commerce.
7. In the 1960s and 70s, Ione experienced an economic decline as businesses closed or moved away.
8. Today, Ione is largely a small agricultural community and its population has remained steady at around 500 since 1990.