FIRST SETTLERS Lake Chelan’s first white settlers were William Sanders and William Domke. They arrived at the south end of the lake the hard way, from the north, in 1886. They crossed the mountains from the Methow Valley and found the steep shoreline impassable. After losing their horse to a fatal fall, they carved a cedar log into a crude canoe and made their way 50 miles to the south end of the lake. A LOOK AT OUR PAST Native Americans most likely inhabited the lower Chelan Valley for thousands of years prior to its “discovery” by pioneer trappers, explorers, and prospectors in the 1800’s. The Native Americans derived their names from the world in which they lived, thus the Native Americans in the Chelan Valley were called the “Tsill-ane,” later spelled Chelan. To them, this meant “deep notch.” The first white explorers who ventured into the Chelan area were Alexander Ross of the Pacific Fur Company and David Thompson of the rival Northwest Company. Both were on wide-ranging explorations to become familiar with the terrain and establish strategic fur trading centers for commerce with the Native Americans. The area went largely unnoticed, except by a few hardy prospectors, until much later in the century. While on a reconnaissance trip for the U.S. Army in 1880, Lt. Thomas Symons saw Lake Chelan and proclaimed it “the most grandly beautiful lake I have ever seen.” On his recommendation, the army established Camp Chelan the following year, but due to difficult access, it was relocated to Spokane after only one year in service. With the influx of miners in the 1890’s, Chelan began to grow, and homesteaders moved in. It did not take long for the first fruit orchards to be established after the potential for irrigation was realized. THE CAMPBELL HOUSE Arriving from Iowa in 1889, C. C. Campbell purchased the property that is presently Campbell’s Resort for $400. In 1901, when the town of Chelan was nothing more than a village on the outlet shores of Lake Chelan, he borrowed $5,000 to build a hotel. An immediate success, the hotel was situated at a commanding site. Rooms were rented for 50 cents and dinner was another 50 cents. In those pioneer days, when freight wagons were pulled by four or six-horse teams, the hotel was a stopping place for teamsters and drivers. During those early days, cattle were driven across the river at the point where a concrete bridge now spans the Chelan River. At the Chelan Falls Landing, Columbia River steamboats docked, passengers transferred to the local stagecoach, and were transported into the town of Chelan. Many people remained overnight at the Campbell Hotel and then traveled up lake by steamer to the head of Lake Chelan where further fine hotels awaited these early day travelers. LAKE CHELAN VISITORS GUIDE 2024 91 #LakeChelan
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