10 Quirky Facts About Washington That Sound Made Up, But Are 100% Accurate
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Sherri Adams
Author
The Evergreen State is rich in unique history, and you’ll never run out of exciting things to do and see, but have you ever taken a look at Washington’s quirkier side? There are so many interesting facts about Washington state. For example, did you know there is an underground city in Port Angeles or that the Slinky Dog toy was invented by a woman in Washington? Read on to see our list of fun facts about Washington State that sound made up, but are 100% accurate.
1. The Washington State flag is the only one that's green.
In a sea of varying shades of blue and red, the Washington State flag is the only one with a green background - Irish green to be precise. It seems a fitting color for the Evergreen State. The vibrant green represents the fields of the western part of the state, while the gold, encircling an image of our nation's first president and state namesake, represents the golden wheat fields of eastern Washington.
2. The square dance is Washington's Official State Dance.
When pioneers settled in the west, they brought a dance called the quadrille, which is French for square. They adopted the simpler name and in 1979 the square dance became the Official State Dance of Washington.
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3. Richland, Washington is home to the largest freezer on earth.
Preferred Freezer Services, on Polar Way in Richland, is a cold storage facility that is both the largest refrigerated warehouse and automated freezer on earth, covering more than 400,000 square feet.
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4. In Everett, it is illegal to put a hypnotized person on display in a store window.
According to Municipal code 9.24.010, "It is unlawful for any hypnotist or mesmerist, or other person, to exhibit or display, or permit to be exhibited or displayed, any subject of any hypnotist or mesmerist, or any person while under the influence of or alleged influence of hypnotism or mesmerism, in any window or public place outside of the hall or theater where such hypnotist or mesmerist is giving his entertainment or exhibition". In other words, enjoy your hypnotism on the stage, but refrain from taking it to the streets. Failure to comply could result in a fine of up to $500 and/or up to six months in jail. They don't mess around in Everett!
5. Pickleball was invented in Washington.
In recent years, pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport in America with more than 36 million people playing each year. Described as a mix between tennis, badminton, and ping pong, pickleball courts are popping up in parks and gyms all over the United States. But did you know this popular sport got its start right here in Washington? In 1967 Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell were looking for something to do at Pritchard's home on Bainbridge Island. They fashioned a game for the family to play together on the property's old badminton court using ping pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. In 1972 they formed a corporation to protect the creation of their new sport, and the rest is history.
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6. There is a bicycle "growing" in a tree on Vashon Island.
There are a few stories as to how this rusty, old bicycle in the tree came to fruition. The most popular is the tale of a young man who enlisted in the United States military, leaving his cherished bike resting on the low branches of a tree in an island forest he frequented. After years of sitting undisturbed, the bike eventually started to be consumed by the tree, growing and becoming part of the mighty trunk.
As sweet and romantic as this sounds, some say the real story is that of a local boy who simply abandoned the bike in the forest in 1954 and it sat there rusting until it became entangled and seemingly grew with the tree. In either case, it has become a popular tourist stop with a mysterious origin. Many of the bicycle's original parts have been lost due to the elements and vandals, but locals occasionally add new pieces to the bike to keep the story alive.
7. An entire fake town was built in Washington to hide an airplane factory.
Toward the end of World War II, a seemingly normal, residential neighborhood popped up in the Georgetown area of Seattle. Though it consisted of houses, trees, and cars, in reality, this was no ordinary neighborhood. If you look closely, you can see that the houses are roughly constructed facades, the trees were made from chicken feathers and spun glass, and the cars were oddly misshapen shells with no wheels.
Why go to the trouble to create an entire fake town? It's simple. This neighborhood was constructed on the roof of Boeing's Plant 2 in an attempt to hide the production of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Up close it might look like a hastily thrown-together movie set, but from the air, it was the perfect disguise to keep the airplane manufacturing plant safe from aerial bombers.
8. Contrary to what people think, Washington is not the rainiest state.
It may surprise you to learn that Washington is not the rainiest state, and Seattle is not the rainiest city. Sure, we get a bad rap for being cold and dreary all the time, and indeed, Seattle ranks high in the number of days with measurable precipitation. But in terms of overall rainfall, Washington comes in at number 29, behind Florida, Alabama, and even Hawaii.
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9. It was once illegal to ride an ugly horse in Wilber.
This law is no longer in effect, but it does make us wonder. What qualities determine the attractiveness of a horse, and who makes these decisions?
10. There is a wall covered in gum in Seattle.
The Gum Wall, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
Stroll down Post Alley under Seattle's Famous Pike Place Market, and you can't miss one of the most curious sites in the city. The Unexpected Productions Theater is the home of an 8-foot high by 54-foot wide brick wall covered in chewed gum! It all started around 1991 when a theater patron stuck their gum to the wall and pressed a penny into it. This act caught on, and soon the wall was dotted with colorful pieces of chewed gum and various coins. At some point, the coins all disappeared, but the tradition of sticking gum to the wall continued. Today, people come from all over to add their personal touch and take photos in front of the wall. Some look at it as art, and some find it disgusting. Either way, this is one colorful idea that stuck!
As you can see, there are lots of things that make our state unique and beautifully quirky, and we wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Can you think of more fun facts about Washington state that we might have missed? Feel free to share them in the comments.
If you’re looking to visit Washington to see everything that makes us so special, or if you are a local in search of a staycation opportunity, we always recommend VRBO.com for your accommodation needs. There are homes of all sorts to stay in from cozy cabins to luxe apartments.
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