City of Pasco, WA

Harris Environmental performed an inventory of historic properties that are associated with the history of the African-American community within Pasco, one of the Tri-Cities in Franklin County, Washington. The history of this community is largely tied to the influx of African-American workers to the nearby Hanford Nuclear Facility in the 1940s and 50s, when thousands of temporary workers migrated to the Northwest and a vibrant community was established in East Pasco. Harris Environmental, along with the City of Pasco and project proponents, conducted a public meeting to select properties, which included: churches, a community park, a bridge, a commercial business, and residences. We undertook an intensive-level survey, which included documentation through photographs and notes on the structures’ appearance, construction and integrity, using resources at the city, county and state level, along with oral interviews with community members. Historic Property Inventory (HPI) forms were created and recorded with the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP). Our research will be used to complete nominations of select properties to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and to document this important aspect of the city’s history. The project was featured in the local news:
https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/2018/08/historic-sites