A visit to Othello will soon reveal to you why it is known as "The Heart of the Columbia Basin," a desert area, which has flourished, as farm land due to the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project established in the 1950's. Othello's beginnings lie in the coming of the railroads to the expanses of the Pacific Northwest. The first settlers came to the Othello area in 1902, and the town was incorporated in 1910. The fist irrigation water began flowing to Columbia Basin farmlands on August 10, 1951, and the complexion of agriculture in Othello changed from dry land products to the increased yields and diversification of irrigated farmland.
What you’ll find here
Othello’s infrastructure includes a full-service hospital, two medical clinics, three dental clinics, a vision clinic, a rehabilitation/extended care facility, the Adams County Services Building, a community library, a movie theater, an outdoor swimming pool, the city hall/police station, the sheriff’s department, and county and city fire departments. The town’s education facilities comprise three elementary schools (K – 6), a junior high (6 – 8), a high school, an alternative high school, and a community school program for adults.
Recreation
There’s plenty to do here: golfing, bowling, hiking, canoeing, hunting, fishing, boating, and water skiing. And the nearby Columbia River affords even more fishing, boating, and water skiing opportunities. Local attractions include the Potholes State Park, Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, Old Hotel Art Gallery, Scootney Reservoir, Othello Golf Club and Mar Don Resort.
Population
Othello’s population fluctuates between 5,500 and 5,800.
Community events
Othello organizes the Sandhill Crane Festival each March to celebrate the migration of the sandhill cranes from California to Alaska. The Othello Sandhill Crane Festival began in 1998, sponsored by the Greater Othello Chamber of Commerce and the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).
The Sun Faire is held over the Fourth of July each year. Events include the Sun Run 5 and 10 k run/walk, a community parade through the city, a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, demolition derby and a fireworks display at sundown.
The Adams County Fair and PRCA Rodeo are held in September. The fair promotes the wholesome values of agriculture, livestock production, business, industry and home life of the people of Adams County and encourages the conservation of natural resources, especially the soil and water for the future generations of Adams County.