Whitman county is as well, or better, provided with railroads than
any agricultural county in the state. The Northern Pacific, O.
R. & N., Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the S. & I. railroads
are all interlaced about its grain-fields. These all connect with
Spokane, and give access to all eastern and western markets.
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PRINCIPAL TOWNS.
COLFAX, the county seat, situated near the center of the county, on
the railroads and Palouse river, is the largest town in the county,
with about 3,600 population. The town owns its own water system, has
electric lights, fine court-house, banks, mills, warehouses, etc.
PULLMAN is a town of 3,000 people, near which is located the Washington
State College, a large educational institution supported by the state,
having about 1,000 students. It is an important grain-shipping
point. It has a public water system, electric lights, and is a
thriving and growing commercial center.
PALOUSE is a railroad center of 2,500 people, a large shipping point
for grain, live stock, fruits and pottery.
OAKESDALE is a town of 1,500 people, having three railroads, and
is an important shipping point.
TEKOA has a population of about 1,400, is a railroad center, and
is a large shipper of fruits and grain.
GARFIELD has a population of 1,000, and ships much grain and other
produce.
ROSALIA has 1,000 population, and is an important grain center.
This county has a dozen other shipping points where from 300 to 700
people are supported by the business originating on the tributary
farms.