Orting is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city’s population is 7,983. Take a look below for 15 amazing and interesting facts about Orting, Washington, United States.
1. The first recorded claims for land in Orting were made in 1854 by William Henry Whitesell, Thomas Headley, Daniel Lane, and Daniel Varner.
2. Streets in the modern city are named after the four men, and a monument in Orting City Park commemorates them.
3. Orting was officially incorporated as a city on April 22, 1889.
4. Early growth surrounded the area’s production and logging industries. Later, Christmas tree and bulb farms also became part of the local economy.
5. Orting was also a supply town for the coal mining towns Wilkeson and Carbonado.
6. The first railroad in the city was built in 1877 by the Northern Pacific Railway, called “Whitesell’s Crossing” because it ran right through the Whitesell property.
7. Because railroads eased transportation, Orting’s population quickly increased.
8. Remaining parts from the railroad are part of the Meeker Southern Railroad, which runs between Puyallup and McMillin.
9. The city sits in a fertile valley between two major rivers, the Carbon and Puyallup. It is built entirely on several layers of lahar deposits. Orting is located about 30 mi (48 km) from Mount Rainier. Based on studies of past lahar flow and the mountain’s structure, Orting has been designated the most at-risk city from Mount Rainier’s lahar activity; scientists predict that lahar could reach Orting in 30 minutes from the mountain.
10. The Mount Rainier Volcano Lahar Warning System has installed sirens throughout the area, activated by sensors on Mount Rainier. Local schools regularly stage lahar evacuation drills, and residents are informed of lahar escape routes. Local citizens are designing the Bridge for Kids, a walking bridge across the Carbon River that could be used for recreation and rapid evacuation toward Cascadia, Washington.
11. The Washington Soldiers Home, provides nursing care, medical care, and support services for veterans and family members.
12. The Voights Creek Hatchery is located outside Orting, attracting fishermen through its salmon.
13. Orting’s parks are filled with trees. Picnics are common in the center of the historic downtown area. Historic murals are scattered on buildings throughout the city.
14. Orting is the fourth and final stop in the annual Daffodil Festival Parade. With the exception of 2020, a cancellation due to Covid-19, the parade has gone through downtown Orting since 1934. It draws over 10,000 people in early April to festivities in downtown Orting. The parade can be seen in late afternoon. It also goes through the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, and Sumner. School bands play, and the Daffodil Queen appears.
15. The Pierce County Foothills Trail is a paved trail built on an old railroad bed. It runs through Orting to South Prairie in one direction and to Sumner in the other. Activities allowed on the trail include walking, bicycling, horseback riding, skating, skateboarding, and scooter riding. Motorized vehicles are prohibited. Although the trail was built for recreation, many bicycle commuters use it.
