Chehalis, WA

All About Chehalis, WA

The name “Chehalis” has an interesting story behind it. The early non-native explorers of the Pacific Northwest misunderstood what the native inhabitants were saying when they described the location as a place of “shifting sand.” It sounded like “Chehalis” to them, so they named the native people (and the nearby river) Chehalis. The town was incorporated in 1883.

Chehalis began in 1873 as a settlement around a warehouse next to a railroad track after the Northern Pacific Railroad bypassed the then-county seat, Claquato. The railroad immediately made Chehalis a central location for the logging industry in the area, and it only took one year for the Lewis County government to switch over to using the new town as the county seat. Today, fewer than 7,500 people call Chehalis home.

Ash & Roberts DDS Near Chehalis, WA

Dr. Ash and Dr. Roberts love providing dental services to patients from this area. Whether that means essential preventative dentistry through regular cleaning appointments, something more advanced like root canal therapy, or even cosmetic treatments like to give your smile a pearly white gleam, we look forward to being your partners in lifelong dental health. Check this map if you need directions to our practice.

See Chehalis, WA Has to Offer!

This might be a small town, but it still has plenty to do and see if you’re visiting the area with your family. Given that there was a World War II naval ship named after the town (it sunk after an explosion in 1949), it’s no surprise that there’s a local veterans museum. For a small entry fee, you can see numerous displays about every U.S. war, with special attention to local veterans.

Fans of trains will love a visit to Chehalis Centralia Railroad & Museum. Keep an eye out for their special events throughout the year, because they have Polar Express rides, dinner trains, murder mystery events, and more. The kids will love riding the train, and train buffs will love seeing the engine, which is over 100 years old!

Rainbow Falls State Park is located 16 miles west of town. While the falls it’s named after are more like rapids, it’s a great overnight stop for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders with 22 miles of developed trail. There are even equestrian sites to camp overnight with your horses. The park features several structures designed in the style of the Depression-era National Park Service, including kitchen shelters and comfort stations that visitors still use today.