Battle Ground, Washington is located in the southwestern part of the state.  It is an inland town east of the Pacific Ocean and just north of Portland, OR (about 19 miles as the crow flies) and Vancouver, WA (about 11 miles flying with the same crow) and the Columbia and Lewis Rivers.  The climate is mild and like most of the Northwest the air is clean.  The town of Battle Ground boasts small town living with all the benefits of a big city close by.    Battle Ground has three districts:  West Battle Ground, the newest part of the city, Central Battle Ground, the center of the City and Old Town Battle Ground, the older and more condensed part of the City, which lies on the east end of town.

In 1862, the first known homesteader to the area now known as Battle Ground was John Tuke. His farm is now known as Tuke's Mountain. Battle Ground was officially incorporated on June 18, 1951. Battle Ground has known a steady growth ever since.  In the year 2000 there were about 9,000 just seven year later there is just over 15,000.  The scenic area with Battle Ground State Park and Battle Ground Lake, the small town atmosphere and close proximity to everything it is no wonder that the secret is out and Battle Ground is the place to call home whether you are a Washington resident or relocating from another state.
 
Battle Ground is not the site of a famous battle as one would suspect but actually is named for the "battle that never was".  In 1855 there was an uprising by the Yakima's.  The soldiers of Fort Vancouver left the fort undermanned when they went to .  The nearby settlers fearing the friendly tribe of Klickitat, living on the Lewis River might join in the uprising organized a group of volunteers to confront the Klickitat people and bring them to the fort until the danger was passed.  Some of the Klickitats weren't too fond of this idea and escaped the fort.

Capitan William Strong, the post commander and the volunteer's pursed the escapee's. Rather than a battle the Captain talked the Chief of the fleeing Klickitats into returning to the fort peacefully.  Unfortunately there were some shots fired, no one is clear on exactly what happened but the Klickitat Chief Umtuch was killed.  The Klickitat still promised to return to the fort after burying their Chief, a ceremony that would take several days. 

When Captain Strong returned to the fort without the Indians in tow several people accused him of being a coward.  The Indians did return as promised.  But the Capitan was still criticized for his actions or lack thereof.  In mockery of the Capitan the area where he and the Klickitat met was referred to as Strong's Battle Ground and eventually shortened to Battle Ground.

Battle Ground's 2007 Portland Rose Parade Float Entry

On June 9, 2007, Portland celebrates the 100th anniversary of its Grand Floral Celebration.  Battle Ground will be able to celebrate alongside Portland for the 53rd time in a row with this year's entry of a replica of a 1907 trolley car decorated in rice, cedar shavings, red carnations and white chrisanthemums.  This float is a highlight for the community every year.  The Battle Ground community will be able to enjoy this float locally in its Harvest Days Parade.  So, you won't have to travel to Portland to enjoy it.

The Rose Float Court is a group of young sophmore and junior women from Battle Ground that are selected based on their written applications as well as personal interviews with the Battle Ground Rose Float Committee.  The women selected become ambassadors for Battle Ground for a year.  They not only participate in the local parades, but also participate in speaking engagements and visit local organizations to volunteer their time, especially for the senior citizens of the community.

Preparation for the next year's Rose Parade float begins in the fall by deciding on a theme.  The committee comes up with about three ideas that get weaned down to one.  A local artist, Doug Aberle, uses this idea to come up with a three dimensional design for the float so that construction can begin.  Volunteers have always constructed the floats over the years.  Another volunteer, Peggy McClellan, makes the princesses' gowns and Elaine Hertz coordinates the volunteers who make up the decorating crew.  Like the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California, every part of the float is covered only in materials provided by nature.  Absolutely nothing artificial will be used in decorating the float.  To keep everything fresh, the decorations are done all the way up until the float is driven to Portland.

 To discover more about Clark County and the cities of
Amboy, Battle Ground, Brush Prairie, Camas, Fargher Lake, 
 Hockinson La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal,
 Woodland,  & Yacolt

  The Clark County site has a listing for each city as well be sure to check it out.
To learn how each city got its name click here