Washington: Individual County Chronologies

Washington Atlas of Historical County Boundaries

John H. Long, Editor; Peggy Tuck Sinko, Associate Editor; Emily Kelley, Historical Compiler; Laura Rico-Beck, GIS Specialist and Digital Compiler; Peter Siczewicz, ArcIMS Interactive Map Designer; Robert Will, Cartographic Assistant

Copyright The Newberry Library 2007

ADAMS

28 Nov 1883
ADAMS created by Washington Territory from WHITMAN. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 93-94)
11 Nov 1889
ADAMS continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington was admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

ASOTIN

27 Oct 1883
ASOTIN created by Washington Territory from GARFIELD. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 96-97)
11 Nov 1889
ASOTIN continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

BENTON

08 Mar 1905
BENTON created from KLICKITAT and YAKIMA. (Wash. Laws 1905, 9th leg. sess., ch. 89/pp. 185-191)

BOISE (Idaho)

12 Jan 1863
BOISE (Idaho) created by Washington Territory from IDAHO (Idaho). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., pp. 3-4)
03 Mar 1863
BOISE (Idaho) became a county in Idaho Territory; eliminated from Washington Territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 117 [1863]/pp. 808-814; Van Zandt, 156-158)

CHEHALIS (see GRAYS HARBOR)

CHELAN

13 Mar 1899
CHELAN created from KITTITAS and OKANOGAN. (Wash. Laws 1899, 6th leg. sess., ch. 45/pp. 148-155)

CLACKAMAS (Ore.)

05 Jul 1843
CLACKAMAS DISTRICT (Ore.) created as one of four original Oregon counties; included parts of present Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Canada. (Oregon Archives, p. 26)
27 Jun 1844
CLACKAMAS DISTRICT (Ore.) lost to creation of non-county area in Oregon Country when the CLACKAMAS boundary was redefined to run along the Columbia River. (Ore. Terr. Laws, general and local, 1843-1849, p. 74)
19 Dec 1845
CLACKAMAS DISTRICT (Ore.) gained from CHAMPOEG DISTRICT (Ore., now MARION, Ore.). Boundary between CLACKAMAS DISTRICT and TUALITY DISTRICT redefined to run "along the middle of the main channel of the Willamette River to the center of the Columbia River at the upper mouth of the Willamette." The portion of CLACKMAS in present Washington was unchanged. (Ore. Terr. Laws, general and local, 1843-1849, pp. 36-37)
22 Dec 1845
CLACKAMAS DISTRICT (Ore.) renamed CLACKAMAS County; no change in boundaries [not mapped]. (Ore. Terr. Laws, general and local, 1843-1849, p. 35)
15 Jun 1846
CLACKAMAS lost to British North America when the Oregon Boundary Treaty between the United States and Great Britain established the northern boundary of Oregon Territory at 49 degrees north latitude. (Hayes, 134, 171-174; Parry 100:40-42; Van Zandt, 18)
02 Mar 1853
Part of CLACKAMAS (Ore.) became Non-County Area 1 when the United States created Washington Territory from Oregon Territory. Remainder of CLACKAMAS (Ore.) eliminated from Washington Territory. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)

CLALLAM

26 Apr 1854
CLALLAM created by Washington Territory from JEFFERSON. County name also variously spelled CLALAM, or CLALM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 472)
01 Feb 1858
CLALLAM exchanged with JEFFERSON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1857, 5th sess., p. 52)
31 Jan 1867
CLALLAM redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 45)
29 Jan 1868
CLALLAM lost to creation of QUILLEHUYTE (extinct). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., pp. 80-81)
02 Dec 1869
CLALLAM gained from QUILLEHUYTE (extinct) when the law creating QUILLEHUYTE was repealed. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 292)
11 Nov 1889
CLALLAM continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
14 Dec 1925
West boundary of CLALLAM extended into the Pacific Ocean to intersect the west boundary of the State of Washington [not mapped]. (Wash. Laws 1925, 19th leg. extra sess., ch. 40/p. 29)

CLARK

20 Aug 1845
VANCOUVER DISTRICT (now CLARK) created from non-county area in Oregon Country; included parts of present Washington and Canada. Non-county area eliminated. (Ore. Terr. Laws 1845, p. 22)
19 Dec 1845
VANCOUVER DISTRICT (now CLARK) boundaries with CLACKAMAS DISTRICT (Ore.), CLATSOP (Ore.) and TUALITY DISTRICT (Ore., now WASHINGTON, Ore.) redefined [no change]. (Ore. Terr. Laws, general and local, 1843-1849, p. 37)
21 Dec 1845
VANCOUVER DISTRICT (now CLARK) lost to creation of LEWIS. (Ore. Terr. Laws, general and local, 1843-1849, p. 43)
22 Dec 1845
VANCOUVER DISTRICT (now CLARK) renamed VANCOUVER County; no change in boundaries [not mapped]. (Ore. Terr. Laws, general and local, 1843-1849, p. 35)
15 Jun 1846
VANCOUVER (now CLARK) lost to British North America when the 1846 Oregon Boundary Treaty between the United States and Great Britain established the northern boundary of Oregon Territory at 49 degrees north latitude. (Hayes, 134, 171-174; Parry 100:40-42; Van Zandt, 18)
03 Sep 1849
VANCOUVER renamed CLARK; no change in boundaries. (Ore. Terr. Laws 1850, 2nd sess., p. 54)
12 Jan 1852
CLARK lost to creation of THURSTON. (Ore. Terr. Laws 1851, 3rd reg. sess., p. 19)
17 Jan 1852
CLARK exchanged with LEWIS. (Ore. Terr. Laws 1851, 3rd reg. sess., p. 30)
01 Feb 1853
CLARK exchanged with LEWIS. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws 1852, 4th reg. sess., p. 40)
02 Mar 1853
CLARK became a county in Washington Territory; eliminated from Oregon Territory. Though created by Oregon as CLARK, Washington laws consistently spelled the county name as CLARKE until 23 December 1925 when the legislature officially changed the spelling from CLARKE to CLARK. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)
09 Mar 1854
CLARKE gained from LEWIS, lost to creation of SKAMANIA, lost to Non-County Area 1. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 473)
23 Jan 1855
CLARKE gained from LEWIS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 2nd sess., p. 39)
14 Jan 1865
CLARKE gained from SKAMANIA; SKAMANIA eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., pp. 44-46)
28 Jan 1867
CLARKE lost to restoration of SKAMANIA when the law of 14 January 1865 eliminating SKAMANIA was disapproved by Congress. (U.S. Stat., vol. 14, ch. 155[1866], sec. 4/p. 77; Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867; 14th sess., p. 3; Abbott, p. 113)
31 Jan 1867
CLARKE gained from COWLITZ. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 48)
02 Dec 1869
CLARKE redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 295)
29 Nov 1871
CLARKE lost to COWLITZ. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1871, 3rd biennial sess., pp. 153-154)
14 Nov 1873
CLARKE gained from COWLITZ. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1873, 4th biennial sess., p. 561)
11 Nov 1889
CLARKE continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
23 Dec 1925
Spelling of CLARKE officially changed to CLARK. (Wash. Laws 1925, 19th leg. extra sess., ch. 51/p. 47)

COLUMBIA

11 Nov 1875
COLUMBIA created by Washington Territory from WALLA WALLA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1875, 5th biennial sess., pp. 133-135)
13 Nov 1879
COLUMBIA lost to WALLA WALLA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1879, 7th biennial sess., p. 226)
29 Nov 1881
COLUMBIA lost to creation of GARFIELD. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1881, 8th biennial sess., pp. 175-177)
11 Nov 1889
COLUMBIA continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

COWLITZ

21 Apr 1854
COWLITZ created by Washington Territory from LEWIS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 471)
25 Apr 1854
COWLITZ lost to creation of WAHKIAKUM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 474)
26 Jan 1855
COWLITZ gained from LEWIS and WAHKIAKUM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 2nd sess., p. 36)
31 Jan 1867
COWLITZ lost to CLARKE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 48)
02 Dec 1869
COWLITZ redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 295)
29 Nov 1871
COWLITZ gained from CLARKE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1871, 3rd biennial sess., pp. 153-154)
14 Nov 1873
COWLITZ lost to CLARKE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1873, 4th biennial sess., p. 561)
11 Nov 1889
COWLITZ continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington was admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

Disputed Area (San Juan Islands)

15 Jun 1846
Disputed Area was created when the 1846 Oregon Boundary Treaty between the United States and Great Britain failed to specify which of the multiple passages through the San Juan Islands was meant by "the middle of said channel." Great Britain claimed a line through Rosario Strait, the eastern most passage, while the United States claimed a line through the Strait of Haro, the western most passage. Oregon Territory considered the disputed San Juan Islands to be part of LEWIS. The dispute over this water boundary was finally settled on 21 October 1872. (Hayes, 134, 171-174; Parry 100:40-42; Van Zandt, 18)
02 Mar 1853
Disputed area of the San Juan Islands became a part of Washington Territory when the United States created Washington Territory from Oregon Territory. Washington Territory considered the disputed area to be part of ISLAND. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)
21 Oct 1872
The dispute over which channel through the San Juan Islands should serve as the international boundary between the United States and British North America was arbitrated by the German emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm, who set the boundary along the Haro Strait as claimed by the United States and already a part of WHATCOM [no change]. (Scott and DeLorme, 20, Van Zandt, 18)

DOUGLAS

28 Nov 1883
DOUGLAS created by Washington Territory from LINCOLN. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., p. 95)
11 Nov 1889
DOUGLAS continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
24 Feb 1909
DOUGLAS lost to creation of GRANT. (Wash. Laws 1909, 11th leg. sess., ch. 17/pp. 19-25)

FERGUSON (extinct)

23 Jan 1863
FERGUSON (extinct) created by Washington Territory from KLICKITAT, SKAMANIA, and WALLA WALLA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., pp. 4-5)
18 Jan 1865
FERGUSON (extinct) eliminated when the law that created it was repealed. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., p. 47)

FERRY

21 Feb 1899
FERRY created from STEVENS. (Wash. Laws 1899, 6th leg. sess., ch. 18/pp. 26-29)

FRANKLIN

28 Nov 1883
FRANKLIN created by Washington Territory from WHITMAN. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 87-88)
11 Nov 1889
FRANKLIN continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

GARFIELD

29 Nov 1881
GARFIELD created by Washington Territory from COLUMBIA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1881, 8th biennial sess., pp. 175-177)
27 Oct 1883
GARFIELD lost to creation of ASOTIN. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 96-97)
11 Nov 1889
GARFIELD continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

GRANT

24 Feb 1909
GRANT created from DOUGLAS. (Wash. Laws 1909, 11th leg. sess., ch. 17/pp. 19-25)

GRAYS HARBOR

14 Apr 1854
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) created by Washington Territory from LEWIS and THURSTON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 472)
13 Jan 1860
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) lost to PACIFIC. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 429)
25 Jan 1860
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) gained from LEWIS, SAWAMISH (now MASON), and THURSTON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 444)
30 Jan 1864
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) gained from MASON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1863-1864, 11th sess., p. 74)
31 Jan 1867
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) gained from JEFFERSON, LEWIS, MASON, and WAHKIAKUM, lost to PACIFIC. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 49)
02 Dec 1869
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) lost to LEWIS and WAHKIAKUM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 296)
10 Nov 1873
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) lost to THURSTON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1873, 4th biennial sess., pp. 482-483)
14 Nov 1873
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) lost to PACIFIC. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1873, 4th biennial sess., p. 538)
09 Nov 1877
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) lost to MASON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1877, 6th biennial sess., pp. 406-407)
13 Nov 1879
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) lost to PACIFIC. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1879, 7th biennial sess., pp. 213-214)
31 Jan 1888
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) lost to LEWIS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1887-1888, 11th biennial sess., p. 73)
11 Nov 1889
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
19 Sep 1905
CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) lost to JEFFERSON when the Washington Superior Court of THURSTON County ruled that the boundary between the two counties was to run along the township line between T. 23 N. and T. 24 N. (Wash. State Archives, "Jefferson County v Chehalis County" Superior Court records of the state of Wash. in and for Thurston County [1905])
27 Feb 1907
Legislature authorized creation of GRAYS HARBOR (proposed) from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) and JEFFERSON. On 7 November 1907 the Washington State Supreme Court ruled this proposed creation of GRAYS HARBOR unconstitutional and the change never took effect. (Abbott, 58-60; Wash. Laws 1907; 10th leg. sess., ch.47/pp. 62-69; "State of Washington v Superior Court for Pacific County" in Washington Rpts., 47:453-467)
15 Mar 1915
CHEHALIS renamed GRAYS HARBOR. (Wash. Laws 1915, 14th leg. sess., ch. 77/p. 250)
14 Dec 1925
West boundary of GRAYS HARBOR extended into the Pacific Ocean to intersect the west boundary of the State of Washington [not mapped]. (Wash. Laws 1925, 19th leg. extra sess., ch. 40/p. 29)

GRAYS HARBOR (proposed)

27 Feb 1907
Legislature authorized creation of GRAYS HARBOR (proposed) from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) and JEFFERSON. On 7 November 1907 the Washington State Supreme Court ruled this proposed creation of GRAYS HARBOR unconstitutional and the change never took effect. (Abbott, 58-60; Wash. Laws 1907; 10th leg. sess., ch.47/pp. 62-69; "State of Washington v Superior Court for Pacific County" in Washington Rpts., 47:453-467)

IDAHO (Idaho)

20 Dec 1861
IDAHO (Idaho) created by Washington Territory from SHOSHONE (Idaho). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1861-1862, 9th sess., p. 3)
12 Jan 1863
IDAHO (Idaho) lost to creation of BOISE (Idaho). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., pp. 3-4)
03 Mar 1863
IDAHO (Idaho) became a county in Idaho Territory; eliminated from Washington Territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 117 [1863]/pp. 808-814; Van Zandt, 156-158)

ISLAND

22 Dec 1852
ISLAND created by Oregon Territory from THURSTON. ISLAND included the disputed San Juan Islands, which were claimed by both the United States and Great Britain. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws 1852, 4th reg. sess., pp. 46-47)
24 Jan 1853
JEFFERSON attached to ISLAND for judicial purposes. Attachment reconfirmed 1 February 1853. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws, 1852, 4th reg. sess., pp. 37, 52)
02 Mar 1853
ISLAND became a county in Washington Territory; eliminated from Oregon Territory; included the disputed area of the San Juan Islands. This appears to have terminated JEFFERSON’s attachment to ISLAND. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)
09 Mar 1854
ISLAND lost to the creation of WHATCOM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 475)
14 Jan 1858
ISLAND lost to WHATCOM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1857, 5th sess., p. 53)
14 Jan 1861
ISLAND lost to creation of SNOHOMISH. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 19)
31 Jan 1867
ISLAND lost to WHATCOM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 46)
21 Jan 1868
ISLAND redefined to extend boundaries over water to "meet the boundary lines of the surrounding counties on all sides" [no mappable change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., p. 68)
02 Dec 1869
ISLAND redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/pp. 292-293)
09 Nov 1877
ISLAND boundaries with SAN JUAN and WHATCOM redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1877, 6th biennial sess., pp. 425-426)
11 Nov 1889
ISLAND continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
07 Mar 1891
ISLAND redefined to "include all of the islands known as Whidby, Canamo, Smith's, Deception, and Ure's" [no change]. (Wash. Laws 1891, 2nd leg. sess., p. 217)

JEFFERSON

22 Dec 1852
JEFFERSON created by Oregon Territory from THURSTON. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws 1852, 4th reg. sess., p. 43)
24 Jan 1853
JEFFERSON attached to ISLAND for judicial purposes. Attachment reconfirmed 1 February 1853. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws, 1852, 4th reg. sess., pp. 37, 52)
02 Mar 1853
JEFFERSON became a county in Washington Territory; eliminated from Oregon Territory. This appears to have terminated JEFFERSON’s attachment to ISLAND. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)
13 Mar 1854
JEFFERSON exchanged with KING. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 470)
26 Apr 1854
JEFFERSON lost to creation of CLALLAM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 472)
01 Feb 1858
JEFFERSON exchanged with CLALLAM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1857, 5th sess., p. 52)
31 Jan 1867
JEFFERSON lost to CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) and MASON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 45)
29 Jan 1868
JEFFERSON lost to creation of QUILLEHUYTE (extinct). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., pp. 80-81)
02 Dec 1869
JEFFERSON gained from QUILLEHUYTE (extinct) when the law creating QUILLEHUYTE was repealed. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 292)
09 Nov 1877
JEFFERSON lost to MASON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1877, 6th biennial sess., pp. 406-407)
11 Nov 1889
JEFFERSON continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
19 Sep 1905
JEFFERSON gained from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) when the Washington Superior Court of THURSTON County ruled that the boundary between the two counties was to run along the township line between T. 23 N. and T. 24 N. (Wash. State Archives, "Jefferson County v Chehalis County" Superior Court records of the state of Wash. in and for Thurston County [1905])
14 Dec 1925
West boundary of JEFFERSON extended into the Pacific Ocean to intersect the west boundary of the State of Washington [not mapped]. (Wash. Laws 1925, 19th leg. extra sess., ch. 40/p. 29)

KING

22 Dec 1852
KING created by Oregon Territory from THURSTON. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws 1852, 4th reg. sess., p. 41)
24 Jan 1853
KING attached to PIERCE for judicial purposes. Attachment reconfirmed 1 February 1853. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws, 1852, 4th reg. sess., pp. 37, 52)
02 Mar 1853
KING became a county in Washington Territory; eliminated from Oregon Territory. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)
13 Mar 1854
KING exchanged with JEFFERSON, lost to creation of SAWAMISH (now MASON). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., pp. 470, 474)
25 Jan 1855
KING lost to PIERCE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 2nd sess., pp. 39-40)
16 Jan 1857
KING lost to creation of SLAUGHTER (now KITSAP). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1856, 4th sess., p. 52)
29 Jan 1859
KING exchanged with PIERCE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1858, 6th sess., p. 59)
14 Jan 1861
KING lost to creation of SNOHOMISH. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 19)
09 Jan 1866
KING exchanged with PIERCE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1865-1866, 13th sess., p. 143)
31 Jan 1867
KING redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., pp. 46-47)
02 Dec 1869
KING redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/pp. 293-294)
11 Nov 1889
KING continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
12 Mar 1901
KING lost to PIERCE. Previous line between KING and PIERCE split the Tacoma harbor between the two counties; the annexation shifted the entire harbor to PIERCE. (Gov. Proc., Wash. State Archives, Gov. Daily Record Book, Vol. 1, pp. 1-3; Rem. & Bal. Code 1909, vol. 2, ch. 1/p.243)

KITSAP

16 Jan 1857
SLAUGHTER (now KITSAP) created by Washington Territory from KING. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1856, 4th sess., p. 52)
17 Jul 1857
SLAUGHTER renamed KITSAP as the result of a vote in the annual election held 17 July 1857. (David Peterson, Kitsap County Clerk, email correspondence of 27 January 2005)
13 Jan 1858
KITSAP implicitly lost to SAWAMISH (now MASON) when the south line of KITSAP was redefined. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1857, 5th sess., pp. 51-52)
29 Jan 1859
KITSAP lost to PIERCE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1858, 6th sess., p. 59)
30 Jan 1861
KITSAP lost to SAWAMISH (now MASON). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 56)
31 Jan 1867
KITSAP gained from MASON and PIERCE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 46)
02 Dec 1869
KITSAP lost to MASON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 293)
09 Nov 1877
KITSAP lost to MASON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1877, 6th biennial sess., pp. 406-407)
11 Nov 1889
KITSAP continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

KITTITAS

24 Nov 1883
KITTITAS created by Washington Territory from YAKIMA. Until 1889 county name also sometimes spelled KITTITASS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 90-93)
04 Feb 1886
KITTITAS lost to YAKIMA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1885-1886, 10th biennial sess., pp. 168-169)
11 Nov 1889
KITTITAS continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
13 Mar 1899
KITTITAS lost to creation of CHELAN. (Wash. Laws 1899, 6th leg. sess., ch. 45/pp. 148-155)
31 Dec 1970
KITTITAS lost small portion known as the "Cliffdale Area" to YAKIMA as the result of a special election held 29 April 1970. (Abbott, 157-158)

KLICKITAT

20 Dec 1859
KLICKITAT created by Washington Territory from SKAMANIA and WALLA WALLA. Until 1889 county name also variously spelled CLICATAT, CLICITAT, KLIKITAT, or CLICKITAT. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 420)
31 Jan 1861
KLICKITAT gained from SKAMANIA and WALLA WALLA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 59)
23 Jan 1863
KLICKITAT lost to creation of FERGUSON (extinct). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., pp. 4-5)
14 Jan 1865
KLICKITAT gained from SKAMANIA; SKAMANIA eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., pp. 44-46)
18 Jan 1865
KLICKITAT gained from FERGUSON (extinct) when the act to create FERGUSON was repealed. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., p. 47)
21 Jan 1865
KLICKITAT lost to creation of YAKIMA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., pp. 47-48)
28 Jan 1867
KLICKITAT lost to restoration of SKAMANIA when the law of 14 January 1865 eliminating SKAMANIA was disapproved by Congress. (U.S. Stat., vol. 14, ch. 155[1866], sec. 4/p. 77; Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867; 14th sess., p. 3; Abbott, p. 113)
31 Jan 1867
KLICKITAT gained from YAKIMA, lost to SKAMANIA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., pp. 49-50)
18 Jan 1868
KLICKITAT gained from SKAMANIA, WALLA WALLA, and YAKIMA; gained all of Non-County Area 3; Non-County Area 3 eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., p. 60)
02 Dec 1869
KLICKITAT gained from SKAMANIA, lost to YAKIMA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/pp. 296-297)
14 Nov 1873
KLICKITAT lost to YAKIMA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1873, 4th biennial sess., p. 571)
29 Nov 1881
KLICKITAT exchanged with SKAMANIA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1881, 8th biennial sess., pp. 187-188)
11 Nov 1889
KLICKITAT continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
08 Mar 1905
KLICKITAT lost to creation of BENTON. (Wash. Laws 1905, 9th leg. sess., ch. 89/pp. 185-191)

LEWIS

21 Dec 1845
LEWIS created by the Provisional Legislature of Oregon Territory from VANCOUVER DISTRICT (now CLARK); LEWIS included part of present Canada. (Ore. Terr. Laws, general and local, 1843-1849, p. 43)
15 Jun 1846
LEWIS lost to British North America when the 1846 Oregon Boundary Treaty between the United States and Great Britain established the northern boundary of Oregon Territory at 49 degrees north latitude. LEWIS included the disputed San Juan Islands, which were claimed by both the United States and Great Britain. (Hayes, 134, 171-174; Parry 100:40-42; Van Zandt, 18)
03 Feb 1851
LEWIS lost to creation of PACIFIC. (Ore. Terr. Laws 1850, 2nd sess., p. 38)
12 Jan 1852
LEWIS lost to creation of THURSTON. (Ore. Terr. Laws 1851, 3rd reg. sess., p. 19)
17 Jan 1852
LEWIS exchanged with CLARK when eastern boundary of LEWIS was redefined. (Ore. Terr. Laws 1851, 3rd reg. sess., p. 30)
01 Feb 1853
LEWIS gained from THURSTON and exchanged with CLARK. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws 1852, 4th reg. sess., p. 40)
02 Mar 1853
LEWIS became a county in Washington Territory; eliminated from Oregon Territory. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)
09 Mar 1854
LEWIS lost to creation of SKAMANIA and lost to CLARKE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 473)
14 Apr 1854
LEWIS gained from PACIFIC, lost to creation of CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., pp. 471-472)
21 Apr 1854
LEWIS lost to creation of COWLITZ. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 471)
23 Jan 1855
LEWIS lost to CLARKE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 2nd sess., p. 39)
26 Jan 1855
LEWIS lost to COWLITZ. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 2nd sess., p. 36)
25 Jan 1860
LEWIS lost to CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 444)
26 Jan 1861
LEWIS gained from PIERCE, exchanged with THURSTON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 33)
05 Jan 1865
LEWIS lost to PIERCE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., pp. 49-50)
31 Jan 1867
LEWIS gained from THURSTON, lost to CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR), PACIFIC, and WAHKIAKUM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 48)
02 Dec 1869
LEWIS gained from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 295)
13 Nov 1879
LEWIS gained from SKAMANIA, WAHKIAKUM, and YAKIMA; lost to PACIFIC. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1879, 7th biennial sess., pp. 213-214)
31 Jan 1888
LEWIS gained from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1887-1888, 11th biennial sess., p. 73)
11 Nov 1889
LEWIS continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

LINCOLN

24 Nov 1883
LINCOLN created by Washington Territory from SPOKANE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 89-90)
28 Nov 1883
LINCOLN lost to creation of DOUGLAS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., p. 95)
11 Nov 1889
LINCOLN continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

MASON

13 Mar 1854
SAWAMISH (now MASON) created by Washington Territory from KING and THURSTON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 474)
13 Jan 1858
SAWAMISH (now MASON) implicitly gained from KITSAP when the south line of KITSAP was redefined. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1857, 5th sess., pp. 51-52)
25 Jan 1860
SAWAMISH (now MASON) lost to CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 444)
30 Jan 1860
SAWAMISH (now MASON) gained from THURSTON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 458)
24 Jan 1861
SAWAMISH (now MASON) exchanged with THURSTON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 30)
30 Jan 1861
SAWAMISH (now MASON) gained from KITSAP. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 56)
28 Jan 1863
SAWAMISH (now MASON) exchanged with THURSTON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., p. 7)
08 Jan 1864
SAWAMISH renamed MASON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1863-1864, 11th sess., p. 71)
30 Jan 1864
MASON lost to CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1863-1864, 11th sess., p. 74)
31 Jan 1867
MASON gained from JEFFERSON, lost to CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR), KITSAP, and THURSTON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., pp. 45-46)
02 Dec 1869
MASON gained from KITSAP. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 293)
09 Nov 1877
MASON gained from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR), JEFFERSON, and KITSAP. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1877, 6th biennial sess., pp. 406-407)
11 Nov 1889
MASON continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

MISSOULA (Mont.)

14 Dec 1860
MISSOULA (Mont.) created by Washington Territory from SPOKANE (original, extinct); included parts of present Idaho and Montana. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., pp. 7-8)
20 Dec 1861
MISSOULA (Mont.) lost to creation of NEZ PERCE (Idaho), and lost to SHOSHONE (Idaho). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1861-1862, 9th sess., pp. 4-5)
03 Mar 1863
MISSOULA (Mont.) became a county in Idaho Territory; eliminated from Washington Territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 117 [1863]/pp. 808-814; Van Zandt, 156-158)

NEZ PERCE (Idaho)

20 Dec 1861
NEZ PERCE (Idaho) created by Washington Territory from MISSOULA (Mont.), SHOSHONE (Idaho) and SPOKANE (original, extinct). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1861-1862, 9th sess., p. 4)
21 Jan 1863
NEZ PERCE (Idaho) gained from SPOKANE (original, extinct). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., p. 5)
03 Mar 1863
NEZ PERCE (Idaho) became a county in Idaho Territory; eliminated from Washington Territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 117 [1863]/pp. 808-814; Van Zandt, 156-158)

Non-County Area 1

02 Mar 1853
Non-County Area 1 created from part of CLACKAMAS (Ore.) when Washington Territory created from Oregon Territory. Non-County Area 1 included parts of present Washington, Idaho, and Montana. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)
09 Mar 1854
Non-County Area 1 gained from CLARKE, lost to creation of SKAMANIA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 473)
25 Apr 1854
Non-County Area 1 lost to creation of WALLA WALLA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., pp. 472-473)
31 Jan 1861
Non-County Area 1 lost all territory to WALLA WALLA; Non-County Area 1 eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 59)

Non-County Area 2

14 Feb 1859
Washington Territory gained non-county area from Oregon Territory when Oregon became a state and Oregon Territory was eliminated. Non-County Area 2 included parts of present Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. (Ore. Laws 1860, 1st reg. sess., pp. 28-30; Van Zandt, p. 155)
09 Jan 1861
Non-County Area 2 lost all territory to creation of SHOSHONE (Idaho); Non-County Area 2 eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 13)

Non-County Area 3

31 Jan 1867
Non-County Area 3 created when the boundaries of WALLA WALLA and YAKIMA were redefined. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 50)
18 Jan 1868
Non-County Area 3 lost all territory to KLICKITAT; Non-County Area 3 eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., p. 60)

Non-County Area 4

31 Jan 1867
Non-County Area 4 created when WALLA WALLA boundaries were redefined. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 50)
18 Jan 1868
Non-County Area 4 lost all territory to WALLA WALLA; Non-County Area 4 eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., p. 60)

OKANOGAN

02 Feb 1888
OKANOGAN created by Washington Territory from STEVENS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1887-1888, 11th biennial sess., pp. 70-73)
11 Nov 1889
OKANOGAN continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
13 Mar 1899
OKANOGAN lost to creation of CHELAN. (Wash. Laws 1899, 6th leg. sess., ch. 45/pp. 148-155)

Oregon Country (non-county area)

27 Jun 1844
Non-county area in Oregon Country created from TUALITY DISTRICT (now WASHINGTON, Ore.) and CLACKAMAS DISTRICT when district boundaries redefined to run along the Columbia River. Non-county area included parts of present Washington and Canada.
20 Aug 1845
Non-county area in Oregon Country lost all territory to creation of VANCOUVER DISTRICT (now CLARK), non-county area eliminated.

Overlap Area 1

25 Apr 1854
WALLA WALLA creation resulted in an area of overlap with the eastern end of WHATCOM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., pp. 472-473)
14 Jan 1858
Overlap Area 1 between WALLA WALLA and WHATCOM eliminated when WHATCOM boundaries redefined. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1857, 5th sess., p. 53)

Overlap Area 2

31 Jan 1867
Overlap Area 2 was created between STEVENS and WALLA WALLA when both counties were redefined. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 50)
18 Jan 1868
Overlap Area 2 between STEVENS and WALLA WALLA eliminated when WALLA WALLA boundaries redefined. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., p. 60)

PACIFIC

03 Feb 1851
PACIFIC created by Oregon Territory from LEWIS; PACIFIC not fully organized, attached to CLATSOP (Ore.) "for all judicial purposes." (Ore. Terr. Laws 1850, 2nd sess., p. 38)
28 Jan 1852
PACIFIC fully organized, detached from CLATSOP (Ore.). (Ore. Terr. Special Laws, 1852, 4th reg. sess., p. 40)
02 Mar 1853
PACIFIC became a county in Washington Territory; eliminated from Oregon Territory. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)
14 Apr 1854
PACIFIC lost to LEWIS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 471)
13 Jan 1860
PACIFIC gained from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 429)
31 Jan 1867
PACIFIC gained from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR), LEWIS, and WAHKIAKUM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 49)
02 Dec 1869
PACIFIC redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 296)
14 Nov 1873
PACIFIC gained from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1873, 4th biennial sess., p. 538)
13 Nov 1879
PACIFIC gained from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) and LEWIS, exchanged with WAHKIAKUM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1879, 7th biennial sess., pp. 213-214)
11 Nov 1889
PACIFIC continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
14 Dec 1925
West boundary of PACIFIC extended into the Pacific Ocean to intersect the west boundary of the state of Washington [not mapped]. (Wash. Laws 1925, 19th leg. extra sess., ch. 40/p. 29)

PEND OREILLE

01 Mar 1911
PEND OREILLE created from STEVENS. (Wash. Laws. 1911, 12th leg. sess., ch. 28/pp. 98-106)

PIERCE

22 Dec 1852
PIERCE created by Oregon Territory from THURSTON. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws 1852, 4th reg. sess., pp. 44-45)
24 Jan 1853
KING attached to PIERCE for judicial purposes. Attachment reconfirmed 1 February 1853. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws, 1852, 4th reg. sess., pp. 37, 52)
02 Mar 1853
PIERCE became a county in Washington Territory; eliminated from Oregon Territory. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)
25 Jan 1855
PIERCE gained from KING. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 2nd sess., pp. 39-40)
29 Jan 1859
PIERCE gained from KITSAP and THURSTON, exchanged with KING. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1858, 6th sess., p. 59)
26 Jan 1861
PIERCE lost to LEWIS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 33)
05 Jan 1865
PIERCE gained from LEWIS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., pp. 49-50)
09 Jan 1866
PIERCE exchanged with KING. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1865-1866, 13th sess., p. 143)
31 Jan 1867
PIERCE lost to KITSAP. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 47)
02 Dec 1869
PIERCE redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 294)
11 Nov 1889
PIERCE continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
12 Mar 1901
PIERCE gained from KING. Previous line between KING and PIERCE split the Tacoma harbor between the two counties; the annexation shifted the entire harbor to PIERCE. (Gov. Proc., Wash. State Archives, Gov. Daily Record Book, Vol. 1, pp. 1-3; Rem. & Bal. Code 1909, vol. 2, ch. 1/p. 243)

QUILLEHUYTE (extinct)

29 Jan 1868
QUILLEHUYTE (extinct) created by Washington Territory from CLALLAM and JEFFERSON. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., pp. 80-81)
02 Dec 1869
QUILLEHUYTE (extinct) eliminated when the 29 January 1868 law that created it was repealed. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 2/p. 297)

SAN JUAN

31 Oct 1873
SAN JUAN created by Washington Territory from WHATCOM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1873, 4th biennial sess., pp. 461-463)
09 Nov 1877
SAN JUAN boundary with ISLAND redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1877, 6th biennial sess., pp. 425-426)

SAWAMISH (see MASON)

SHOSHONE (Idaho)

09 Jan 1861
SHOSHONE (Idaho) created by Washington Territory from SPOKANE (original, extinct) and all of Non-County Area 2; included parts of present Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 13)
02 Mar 1861
SHOSHONE (Idaho) lost to Nebraska Territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 86 [1861]/pp. 239-244; Van Zandt, 134, 136-137)
20 Dec 1861
SHOSHONE (Idaho) gained from MISSOULA (Mont.) and SPOKANE (original, extinct), lost to creation of IDAHO (Idaho) and NEZ PERCE (Idaho). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1861-1862, 9th sess., pp. 4-5)
03 Mar 1863
SHOSHONE (Idaho) became a county in Idaho Territory; eliminated from Washington Territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 117 [1863]/pp. 808-814; Van Zandt, 156-158)

SKAGIT

28 Nov 1883
SKAGIT created by Washington Territory from WHATCOM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 97-100)
11 Nov 1889
SKAGIT continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

SKAMANIA

09 Mar 1854
SKAMANIA created by Washington Territory from CLARKE, LEWIS, and Non-County Area 1; included parts of present Idaho and Montana. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 473)
25 Apr 1854
SKAMANIA lost to creation of WALLA WALLA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., pp. 472-473)
20 Dec 1859
SKAMANIA lost to creation of KLICKITAT. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 420)
31 Jan 1861
SKAMANIA lost to KLICKITAT. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 59)
23 Jan 1863
SKAMANIA lost to creation of FERGUSON (extinct). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., pp. 4-5)
14 Jan 1865
SKAMANIA lost all territory to CLARKE and KLICKITAT; SKAMANIA eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., pp. 44-46)
28 Jan 1867
SKAMANIA restored when the law of 14 January 1865 eliminating SKAMANIA was disapproved by Congress. (U.S. Stat., vol. 14, ch. 155[1866], sec. 4/p. 77; Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867; 14th sess., p. 3; Abbott, p. 113)
31 Jan 1867
SKAMANIA gained from KLICKITAT and YAKIMA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 49)
18 Jan 1868
SKAMANIA lost to KLICKITAT and YAKIMA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., p. 60)
02 Dec 1869
SKAMANIA lost to KLICKITAT and YAKIMA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 296)
13 Nov 1879
SKAMANIA lost to LEWIS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1879, 7th biennial sess., pp. 213-214)
29 Nov 1881
SKAMANIA exchanged with KLICKITAT. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1881, 8th biennial sess., pp. 187-188)
11 Nov 1889
SKAMANIA continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

SLAUGHTER (see KITSAP)

SNOHOMISH

14 Jan 1861
SNOHOMISH created by Washington Territory from ISLAND and KING. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 19)
31 Jan 1867
SNOHOMISH redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., pp. 44-45)
02 Dec 1869
SNOHOMISH redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/pp. 291-292)
09 Nov 1877
SNOHOMISH boundaries redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1877, 6th biennial sess., pp. 425-426)
11 Nov 1889
SNOHOMISH continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
11 Aug 1938
The portion of the west line of SNOHOMISH running through South Pass, the Sillaguamish River mouth, and Davis Slough was clarified in a court case [no change]. ("Groeneveld v Camano Blue Oyster Co." in Wash. Rpts. 196: 54-61; Abbott, 156)

SPOKANE (original, extinct)

29 Jan 1858
SPOKANE (original, extinct) created by Washington Territory from WALLA WALLA; included parts of present Idaho and Montana. SPOKANE not fully organized, but not attached. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1857, 5th sess., p. 51)
17 Jan 1860
SPOKANE (original, extinct) redefined and fully organized [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 436)
14 Dec 1860
SPOKANE (original, extinct) lost to creation of MISSOULA (Mont.). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., pp. 7-8)
09 Jan 1861
SPOKANE (original, extinct) lost to creation of SHOSHONE (Idaho). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 13)
20 Dec 1861
SPOKANE (original, extinct) lost to creation of NEZ PERCE (Idaho), and lost to SHOSHONE (Idaho). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1861-1862, 9th sess., pp. 4-5)
21 Jan 1863
SPOKANE (original, extinct) lost to NEZ PERCE (Idaho). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., p. 5)
03 Mar 1863
SPOKANE (original, extinct) lost to creation of Idaho Territory; gained small area from NEZ PERCE (Idaho). (U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 117 [1863]/pp. 808-814; Van Zandt, 156-158)
19 Jan 1864
SPOKANE (original, extinct) lost all territory to STEVENS; SPOKANE (orig.) eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1863-1864, 11th sess., p. 70)

SPOKANE

30 Oct 1879
SPOKANE created by Washington Territory from STEVENS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1879, 7th biennial sess., pp. 203-205)
24 Nov 1883
SPOKANE lost to creation of LINCOLN. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 89-90)
11 Nov 1889
SPOKANE continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

STEVENS

20 Jan 1863
STEVENS created by Washington Territory from WALLA WALLA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., p. 6)
19 Jan 1864
STEVENS gained all of SPOKANE (original, extinct). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1863-1864, 11th sess., p. 70)
21 Jan 1865
STEVENS gained from WALLA WALLA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., pp. 47-48)
31 Jan 1867
STEVENS lost to YAKIMA. An overlap was created between STEVENS and WALLA WALLA when both counties were redefined (see Overlap Area 2). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., pp. 50-51)
18 Jan 1868
Overlap between STEVENS and WALLA WALLA settled in favor of STEVENS; Overlap Area 2 eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., p. 60)
02 Dec 1869
STEVENS redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 297)
02 Jan 1872
STEVENS lost to creation of WHITMAN. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1871, 3rd biennial sess., pp. 134-136)
12 Nov 1875
STEVENS exchanged with WHITMAN. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1875, 5th biennial sess., pp. 189-190)
30 Oct 1879
STEVENS lost to creation of SPOKANE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1879, 7th biennial sess., pp. 203-205)
02 Feb 1888
STEVENS lost to creation of OKANOGAN. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1887-1888, 11th biennial sess., pp. 70-73)
11 Nov 1889
STEVENS continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
21 Feb 1899
STEVENS lost to creation of FERRY. (Wash. Laws 1899, 6th leg. sess., ch. 18/pp. 26-29)
01 Mar 1911
STEVENS lost to creation of PEND OREILLE. (Wash. Laws. 1911, 12th leg. sess., ch. 28/pp. 98-106)

THURSTON

12 Jan 1852
THURSTON created by Oregon Territory from CLARK and LEWIS. THURSTON included the disputed San Juan Islands which were claimed by both the United States and Great Britain. (Ore. Terr. Laws 1851, 3rd reg. sess., p. 19)
22 Dec 1852
THURSTON lost to creation of ISLAND , JEFFERSON , KING and PIERCE. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws 1852, 4th reg. sess., pp. 41-47)
01 Feb 1853
THURSTON lost to LEWIS. (Ore. Terr. Special Laws 1852, 4th reg. sess., p. 40)
02 Mar 1853
THURSTON became a county in Washington Territory; eliminated from Oregon Territory. (Wash. Terr. Laws, 1854, 1st. sess., p. 32; Van Zandt, 155)
13 Mar 1854
THURSTON lost to creation of SAWAMISH (now MASON). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 474)
14 Apr 1854
THURSTON lost to creation of CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 472)
29 Jan 1859
THURSTON lost to PIERCE. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1858, 6th sess., p. 59)
25 Jan 1860
THURSTON lost to CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 444)
30 Jan 1860
THURSTON lost to SAWAMISH (now MASON). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 458)
24 Jan 1861
THURSTON exchanged with SAWAMISH (now MASON). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 30)
26 Jan 1861
THURSTON exchanged with LEWIS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 33)
28 Jan 1863
THURSTON exchanged with SAWAMISH (now MASON). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., p. 7)
31 Jan 1867
THURSTON gained from MASON, lost to LEWIS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., pp. 47-48)
02 Dec 1869
THURSTON redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/pp. 294-295)
10 Nov 1873
THURSTON gained from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1873, 4th biennial sess., pp. 482-483)
11 Nov 1889
THURSTON continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

TUALITY (Ore.) (now WASHINGTON, Ore.)

VANCOUVER (see CLARK)

WAHKIAKUM

25 Apr 1854
WAHKIAKUM created by Washington Territory from COWLITZ. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 474)
26 Jan 1855
WAHKIAKUM lost to COWLITZ. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 2nd sess., p. 36)
31 Jan 1867
WAHKIAKUM gained from LEWIS, lost to CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR) and PACIFIC. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 48)
02 Dec 1869
WAHKIAKUM gained from CHEHALIS (now GRAYS HARBOR). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/pp. 295-296)
13 Nov 1879
WAHKIAKUM lost to LEWIS, exchanged with PACIFIC. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1879, 7th biennial sess., pp. 213-214)
11 Nov 1889
WAHKIAKUM continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

WALLA WALLA

25 Apr 1854
WALLA WALLA created by Washington Territory from SKAMANIA and Non-County Area 1; included parts of present Idaho and Montana. WALLA WALLA overlapped the eastern end of WHATCOM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., pp. 472-473)
14 Jan 1858
Overlap between WALLA WALLA and WHATCOM settled in favor of WHATCOM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1857, 5th sess., p. 53)
29 Jan 1858
WALLA WALLA lost to creation of SPOKANE (original, extinct). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1857, 5th sess., p. 51)
20 Dec 1859
WALLA WALLA lost to creation of KLICKITAT. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1859, 7th sess., p. 420)
31 Jan 1861
WALLA WALLA gained all of Non-County Area 1, lost to KLICKITAT. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1860, 8th sess., p. 59)
20 Jan 1863
WALLA WALLA lost to creation of STEVENS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., p. 6)
23 Jan 1863
WALLA WALLA lost to creation of FERGUSON (extinct). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1862, 10th sess., pp. 4-5)
18 Jan 1865
WALLA WALLA gained from FERGUSON (extinct) when the act to create FERGUSON was repealed. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., p. 47)
21 Jan 1865
WALLA WALLA lost to creation of YAKIMA, lost to STEVENS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., pp. 47-48)
31 Jan 1867
WALLA WALLA gained from YAKIMA, lost to creation of Non-County Areas 3 and 4. An overlap was created between STEVENS and WALLA WALLA when both counties were redefined (see Overlap Area 2). (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 50)
18 Jan 1868
WALLA WALLA gained all of Non-County Area 4, lost to KLICKITAT, and overlap between STEVENS and WALLA WALLA settled in favor of STEVENS. Non-County area 4 and Overlap Area 2 eliminated. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., p. 60)
02 Dec 1869
WALLA WALLA redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 297)
11 Nov 1875
WALLA WALLA lost to creation of COLUMBIA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1875, 5th biennial sess., pp. 133-135)
13 Nov 1879
WALLA WALLA gained from COLUMBIA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1879, 7th biennial sess., p. 226)
11 Nov 1889
WALLA WALLA continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

WASHINGTON (Ore.)

05 Jul 1843
TUALITY DISTRICT (Ore., now WASHINGTON, Ore.) created as one of four original Oregon counties; included parts of present Oregon, Washington, and Canada. (Oregon Archives, p. 26)
26 Jun 1844
TUALITY DISTRICT (Ore., now WASHINGTON, Ore.) lost to YAMHILL DISTRICT (Ore.); portion of TUALITY in present Washington was unchanged. (Ore. Terr. Laws, general and local, 1843-1849, p. 87)
27 Jun 1844
TUALITY DISTRICT (Ore.) lost to creation of non-county area in Oregon Country when the TUALITY boundary was redefined to run along the Columbia River. TUALITY eliminated from present Washington. (Ore. Terr. Laws, general and local, 1843-1849, p. 74)

WHATCOM

09 Mar 1854
WHATCOM created by Washington Territory from ISLAND. WHATCOM included the disputed San Juan Islands which were claimed by both the United States and Great Britain. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., p. 475)
25 Apr 1854
Eastern end of WHATCOM was overlapped by creation of WALLA WALLA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1854, 1st sess., pp. 472-473)
14 Jan 1858
WHATCOM gained from ISLAND; overlap with WALLA WALLA settled in favor of WHATCOM. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1857, 5th sess., p. 53)
31 Jan 1859
WHATCOM partly redefined to correct an omission in the boundary description of 14 January 1858 [not mapped]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1858, 6th sess., p. 60)
31 Jan 1867
WHATCOM gained from ISLAND. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 44)
02 Dec 1869
WHATCOM redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 291)
31 Oct 1873
WHATCOM lost to creation of SAN JUAN. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1873, 4th biennial sess., pp. 461-463)
09 Nov 1877
WHATCOM boundary with ISLAND redefined [no change]. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1877, 6th biennial sess., pp. 425-426)
28 Nov 1883
WHATCOM lost to creation of SKAGIT. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 97-100)
11 Nov 1889
WHATCOM continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

WHITMAN

02 Jan 1872
WHITMAN created by Washington Territory from STEVENS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1871, 3rd biennial sess., pp. 134-136)
12 Nov 1875
WHITMAN exchanged with STEVENS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1875, 5th biennial sess., pp. 189-190)
28 Nov 1883
WHITMAN lost to creation of ADAMS and FRANKLIN. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 93-94)
11 Nov 1889
WHITMAN continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)

YAKIMA

21 Jan 1865
YAKIMA created by Washington Territory from KLICKITAT and WALLA WALLA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1864-1865, 12th sess., pp. 47-48)
31 Jan 1867
YAKIMA gained from STEVENS, lost to KLICKITAT, SKAMANIA, WALLA WALLA, and Non-County Area 3. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1866-1867, 14th sess., p. 50)
18 Jan 1868
YAKIMA gained small area from SKAMANIA, lost to KLICKITAT. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1867, 1st biennial sess., p. 60)
02 Dec 1869
YAKIMA gained from KLICKITAT and SKAMANIA. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1869, 2nd biennial sess., sec. 1/p. 297)
14 Nov 1873
YAKIMA gained from KLICKITAT. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1873, 4th biennial sess., p. 571)
13 Nov 1879
YAKIMA lost to LEWIS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1879, 7th biennial sess., pp. 213-214)
24 Nov 1883
YAKIMA lost to creation of KITTITAS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1883, 9th biennial sess., pp. 90-93)
04 Feb 1886
YAKIMA gained from KITTITAS. (Wash. Terr. Laws 1885-1886, 10th biennial sess., pp. 168-169)
11 Nov 1889
YAKIMA continued as a Washington county when the state of Washington admitted to the Union and Washington Territory eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889], p. 676; U.S. Stat. pres. proc., vol. 26[1889], p. 10; Van Zandt, 155-156)
08 Mar 1905
YAKIMA lost to creation of BENTON. (Wash. Laws 1905, 9th leg. sess., ch. 89/pp. 185-191)
31 Dec 1970
YAKIMA gained small portion known as the "Cliffdale Area" from KITTITAS as the result of a special election held 29 April 1970. (Abbott, 157-158)