Our history
The first settlers came to this area in the early 1870's. By 1890, Latah was a thriving community of over 400 residents with four general stores, two blacksmith shops, three grain warehouses, two hotels and at least 20 other businesses including everything from photography shops to prune dryers. Three trains passed through daily. In 1880 the bones of a prehistoric Columbian mammoth were unearthed just west of the town, producing one of the most complete skeletons of a mammoth ever found in North America. This skeleton is now on exhibit at the Chicago Field Museum. For more information, click Latah Mammoth.
Our town
In the rolling hills of Southeastern Spokane County, 29 miles southeast of the city of Spokane, you'll find the town of Latah right on Highway 27. With a population of about 180, it is a quiet little community nestled into the beautiful Palouse. Our Area
Abandoned farm outside Latah
White Swan Hotel - 1902
Fairfield Museum
Old Prairie View School, now in Waverly
Latah School - 1908
Lone Pine Cemetery
Latah School - 1908
Latah Harvest Celebration
Ham-McEachern House - 1886
Latah, approximately 1910
Latah View
Railroad trestles outside Rosalia
Abandoned farm outside Spangle
Elevator outside Tekoa
Latah, Washington
The area around Latah is beautiful and is popular with photographers and history buffs, offering historic buildings and cemeteries as well as incredible scenes of the lush Palouse itself. Here is a sampling:
Rosalia Cemetery