Cascade of History LIVE Broadcast

Attend in-person or tune in remotely to a live broadcast of Cascade of History from the Yakima Valley Trolleys’ Powerhouse, with a special program all about this unique historic resource which was just named to the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of Most Endangered Places (more on that below). We’re gathering to celebrate and generate support for preserving the Yakima Valley Trolleys in advance of a vote by the Yakima City Council.

When: Sunday, June 15, 2025 at 7:45 pm. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 7:30 pm, but no later than 7:45 pm, as the live show begins promptly at 8:00 pm.

Where: Yakima Valley Trolleys Powerhouse | 418 S. Third Ave., Yakima, WA 98902

Tune in remotely: Turn your radio dial to SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle, or listen live from anywhere via space101fm.org.

The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has announced a new addition to its Most Endangered Places list: the Yakima Valley Trolleys, which operate between Yakima and Selah.

Constructed in 1907, the Yakima Valley Trolleys are regarded as one of the last intact, unmodernized example of an interurban electric railroad left in the United States. Once a ubiquitous form of transportation in America, interurban railroads bridged the gap between the horse and buggy days and the rise of the automobile. The Yakima Valley Trolleys began as a streetcar system in the City of Yakima until purchased in 1909 by a subsidiary of Union Pacific Railroad, which operated them until 1985. The Yakima Valley Trolleys were then donated to the City of Yakima and became the museum and interurban lines that survive to this day—including the original shop facilities, original streetcars and electric freight locomotives, original power-generating equipment, and overhead wire and track systems connecting Yakima and Selah. In 1992, the Yakima Valley Trolleys were named to the National Register of Historic Places. Currently, development of a nomination to designate the Yakima Valley Trolleys as a National Historic Landmark is underway. If successful, the trolleys would be the first historic resource in Yakima to receive National Historic Landmark designation from the National Park Service.

In 2023, the Yakima City Council unanimously adopted a plan to rebuild 6th Avenue downtown, which includes a section of the trolley tracks. Designs for the project include options to retain the rail lines and overhead electrical system, but the council is also considering an option that would remove a portion of the tracks situated along 6th Avenue. If the tracks are removed, trolley cars would no longer be able to operate between Yakima and Selah, and the Yakima Valley Trolley line would cease to be truly “interurban” in nature. Furthermore, removal of the tracks could impact the line’s eligibility for designation as a National Historic Landmark, given that part of Yakima Valley Trolley’s significance is connected to the working line’s high degree of operational integrity.

Public support for retaining and preserving the trolley tracks is solid: a city-administered survey found that respondents favored design plans to preserve the rail lines. Furthermore, there are strong economic motives favoring preservation. Given the unique nature of the trolley line, expanded tourism opportunities should be considered. Being listed in the National Register of Historic Places (with the possibility of National Historic Landmark designation) has the potential to unlock additional sources of both private and public funding.

On Tuesday, June 17, the Yakima City Council will make a final determination on the Yakima Valley Trolleys’ fate when they meet to decide upon the 6th Avenue design options to pursue moving forward. The Washington Trust joins community advocates and local organizations who have come out in support of preserving the trolley tracks, including the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Association of Yakima, Selah Downtown Association, Selah Chamber of Commerce, and Yakima Historic Preservation Commission.

The Washington Trust has maintained a list of Washington’s Most Endangered Places since 1992 to bring attention to and rally public support around threatened buildings, sites, and historic places. While the circumstances of endangerment may vary—buildings might face demolition, incompatible development, or a lack of access to funding—all of the places featured on the Most Endangered Places list are important historic and cultural sites facing difficult odds for survival. To help advocate for these sites’ preservation, the Washington Trust provides a variety of services, including technical assistance in navigating preservation processes, letters of support, testimony with local governments and commissions, facilitation of connections between local partners and elected officials/decisionmakers, and grant funding where possible.

Yakima Valley Trolleys in the News

Listen to this episode of the Cascade of History podcast where Feliks Banel speaks with Ken Johnsen, Yakima Valley Trolleys President:

Cascade of History · BONUS EPISODE: Yakima Valley Trolleys Added to MOST ENDANGERED LIST

Also available via Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-episode-yakima-valley-trolleys-added-to-most/id1448821862?i=1000710616501

Watch this local news report (or read the article) from KIMA TV, featuring comments from Ken Johnsen and from Washington Trust Preservation Programs Director, Moira Nadal:

Visit our Most Endangered Places listings for more information.