Day Trip: Ritzville, Washington

I have mentioned before how surprising it can be when a small community offers sites of historical or cultural significance beyond what the size of the community suggests it would have. Ritzville, a small farm community that appears at first glance to be a drive-by town along Interstate 90, was settled in the 1880s and, as it turns out, was once the largest wheat shipping point in the world!

Ritzville offers three museums for your visit, which can occur Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend but, in order to visit all three sites, your visit must be on Saturday, as the Lasting Legacy Wildlife Museum is currently open only on Saturdays. Call to verify that the wildlife museum is open if you are driving through town outside of the Memorial Day/Labor Day window.

Lasting Legacy Wildlife Museum

This museum houses over a thousand specimens from around the world, legally hunted over decades or collected by Dr. Donald G. Sebesta. Signage teaches about the animals and their habitat and even what is being done to preserve the animals in their natural habitat. The animal specimens are presented in habitat dioramas that are nothing short of spectacular.

Some folks will be sensitive to the fact that some of the specimens are from species that are endangered, so it is worth pointing out that the curators of the museum are sensitive to this fact as well; in fact, species and habitat preservation and education are their primary goals. It is my understanding that special circumstances were present for many of the animals; for instance, aging and near end-of-life, and no animals were allowed to go to waste, as the meat was consumed or donated to local families.

I don’t know what factors led to this amazing museum being placed in Ritzville but I believe that, once you visit, you will be glad to have done your part to help make the museum financially successful. Plan 1.5 to two hours for your visit, even longer if you are a reader.

Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:

Lasting Legacy Wildlife Museum, 1729 Weber Rd, Ritzville, WA 99169, 509-659-0532. Open: Sat 10-3. Admission: adult $12, senior/military $10, 12-17 $8, 4-11 $5, 3 and under Free.

Lunch

Ready for some lunch before moving on to the remaining museums? Here are our recommendations. Jake’s Cafe, 1604 W 1st Ave. Open daily. Porky’s Clubhouse Grill, 104 E 10th Ave. Open daily. Mi Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, 1604 Smittys Blvd. Open daily. If time is a factor, there are also these fast food selections: McDonald’s, 101 W Galbreath Way; Carl’s Jr, 1370 WA-261; Taco Del Mar, 103 W Galbreath Way Suite B; Subway, 102 W Galbreath Way; Zip’s, 1503 Smittys Blvd.

Railroad Depot Museum

The Depot was built by Northern Pacific Railroad in 1910. Though Ritzville was but a small town, there was a time when as many as ten passenger trains stopped here each day but, with lessened train travel, passenger service to Ritzville was discontinued in 1971.

The museum is home to a large collection of turn-of-the-20th Century train memorabilia and includes still functioning telegraphy; you might even be lucky enough to have a long-time railroad telegrapher on-site. Don’t miss a visit to the fully restored caboose outside. While you are there, you’re likely to feel the ground shake as a train passes by; on average, a train passes by the depot every thirty minutes. Plan on 30-45 minutes for your visit.

Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:

Railroad Depot Museum, 201 W Railroad Ave, Ritzville, WA 99169, 509-659-1656. Open: Memorial Day thru Labor Day weekends, Thu-Sat 1-3. Admission: by donation.

Frank R. Burroughs Home

Dr. Burroughs built his home in 1889 and then extensively remodeled it in 1902 when electricity came to Ritzville. On display are a collection of vintage clothes and original furnishings that illustrate how folks lived over a century ago. Be sure to visit Dr. Burroughs’ office to see how meager his medical library was—and take a moment to peruse the doctor’s cause of death book, it will make you appreciate the time you live in!

Here are details you will need, including the address to enter into your navigation app:

Frank R. Burroughs Home, 408 W Main Ave, Ritzville, WA 99169, 509-659-1936. Open: Memorial Day thru Labor Day weekends, Tue-Sat 12-4. Admission: by donation.

And with that it’s time to start your drive home. We hope you enjoyed your visit!