Attractions

Ansorge Hotel Museum: Built in 1903 in Curlew, Washington (now designated a ghost town), the Ansorge Hotel still retains many of its original furnishings and all of its charm. Unlike most big-city museums, the curators of the small, but lovingly cared for museum, still allow their visitors to browse nearly every room in the hotel. Don't overlook details like the knotted rope ladders at each of the second-story windows. Tours available weekend afternoons from 1 - 5 p.m., until the museum closes for the season on September 6. Call ahead to arrange a tour. Located on Ferry Street in Curlew, WA 99118. Call 509-779-4955, 509-779-4840.

Antique Car & Truck Museum: The Antique Car and Truck Museum provides visitors with the opportunity to view numerous antique cars, including a 1925 Howard Cooper (one of four built) and a 1926 Yellow Knight (one of three known to still exist). Also of interest, antique farm machinery and a blacksmith shop. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. No admission charge, but donations welcome. Located on Hwy. 21 N., between Republic and Curlew, WA; 509-779-4961.

Barrel Derby Days: Just how long does it take for a barrel to travel along the Kettle River from the Midway Bridge at Ferry, Washington to the Town Bridge of Curlew, Washington? In an annual event, called Barrel Derby Days, that's been taking place since 1950 (with a short hiatus in the 1970's), folks in Curlew challenge themselves and visitors to give it their best guess.

Eagle Track Raceway: Located a half mile south of Republic on Pendry Road, the Eagle Track Raceway offers 3/8 mile, dirt-track, stock car racing. Classes include modifieds, street stock, and Fever-4.

Ferry County Fair: Looking for an end-of-the-summer weekend that doesn't involve smog, traffic-choked streets, expensive parking, and crowd-clogged events? Then skip Seattle's Bumbershoot and plan to attend the Ferry County Fair in Republic, Washington. A scenic, five-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, the fair provides visitors with all the fun and pleasures of an old-fashioned country fair in an environment of sweet, clean mountain air, pastoral mountain roads, and jewel-like lakes.

Historic Malo Store: Lee and Julie Thorton purchased the Malo store in September 2003, and just celebrated their one-year anniversary as owners. Originally from Kent, England, they lived in California for 25 years, before relocating to Malo. "We were tired of the rat race. The kids were grown and moved away." Convinced they wanted to enjoy a slower life style, they began searching for the perfect small-town business that would provide them with a less stressful working retirement. "We looked for a year in the South and Midwest, before we saw this [the Malo Store] listed on the Internet. We liked it immediately," Lee says. He adds as an aside, "Did you know that the coldest place on earth is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa?"

Ranald MacDonald Burial Site: Ten and a half miles from Curlew, Washington in a small graveyard overlooking the Kettle River, lies the remains of Ranald MacDonald, who was a sailor, a gold miner, a writer, an explorer, and (briefly) a teacher. Relatively unknown to the citizens of his own country, MacDonald is fondly remembered by the Japanese for the role he played in helping them learn more about the English language and Western culture. Read more about Ranald MacDonald...>

Republic Cemetery: In 1898 a woman on horse back rode the hills around Republic, Washington looking for a suitable burial place for a man who'd recently died. At the time, Republic was a rough and tumble gold rush town filled to the brim with miners, and as yet hadn't established a cemetery. That all changed when a man named Patrick Callahan died in Republic's first mining-related accident. Read more about the Republic Cemetery...>

Republic Historical Center: It's hard to say which is more enjoyable: walking through the Kaufman Cabin (the oldest surviving structure in Republic), perusing the extensive collection of Republic's historical photographs in the nearby historical center, or listening to firsthand accounts of times past from the volunteers who operate the small museum. Be sure to enjoy them all. Located next door to the Stonerose Interpretive Center in Republic, Washington.

Stonerose Interpretive Center & Eocene Fossil Site: Stonerose is one of the few places in the United States where you can view a collection of 50-million-year-old "photographs" of flowers and leaves. After purchasing an inexpensive permit, you may hunt for your own fossils at the nearby Boot Hill Fossil Site.