Title: Washington State History
Headings: Washington State History
Washington State History
Content: When large amounts of gold were not found in Washington, many  settlers stayed to become farmers and loggers. In  1883, railroad connection with the East brought many new settlers to  Washington. Washington became  the 42 nd state on Nov. 11, 1889, with Olympia as the state  capital. In 1890,  Washington’s population reached more than 350,000. Due  to irrigation projects during the 1890s, farmers moved to Washington to  plant fruit orchards and wheat fields. Fishing, lumbering, and mining industries continued to increase as  well. Railroad expansion  allowed coastal cities to become great port centers, the largest among  them being Seattle. During  the Alaska gold rush (1897-1898), this great city grew immensely as it  became the chief supply center for the prospectors. During  World War I (1914-1918), Washington supplied lumber, food, and ships. Camp Lewis was established as a military training center.