Near Pasco in Franklin County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Ainsworth
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
1. Ainsworth Marker
One of the most colorful of the early Northwest railroad towns once existed near junction of the Snake and Columbia Rivers. Ainsworth was founded, 1879, when the railroad bridge was building over the Snake River.
In its heyday it was a wild, lusty town, noted for brawls, gun fights and hangings. For a while a vital cog in the Northern Pacific Railroads extension to Puget Sound. It slowly sank into oblivion after opening of the bridge to traffic in 1884.
The town was named for John C. Ainsworth, a prominent figure in transportation circles of the early Northwest.
Erected by Washington State Highway Commission in cooperation with the State Parks and Recreation Commission. (Marker Number 37.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 46° 13.092′ N, 119° 1.624′ W. Marker was near Pasco, Washington, in Franklin County. It could be reached from the intersection of Sacajawea Park Road and U.S. 12, on the left when traveling east. The marker stands in the middle of a scenic parking area on the left hand side
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Washington’s Columbia Basin. It was also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it was in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Before This Was a Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lewis and Clark Trail (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mayor A. P. Gray (approx. 1.4 miles away); Lewis & Clark Camp (approx. 1½ miles away); City of Pasco Veterans Memorial (approx. 3½ miles away); City View Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 3½ miles away); Jesse T Barrick (approx. 3½ miles away); Pasco-Kennewick Old Bridge (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasco.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Sacagawea (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
2. Ainsworth Marker
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
3. Wide view of the Ainsworth Marker
Near the Sacajawea State Park, the Ainsworth marker (right) stands next to the Sacagawea marker.
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
4. Site of the Ainsworth ghost town
Today Ainsworth is the site of Sacajawea State Park and limited commercial development. The railroad line, from the Snake River bridge, runs through the foreground.
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 31, 2010
5. Today's Snake River Railroad Bridge
Located at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers, the bridge today follows the same route as the original 1884 railroad bridge.
Photographed by Clayton Pickett, April 18, 2026
6. Former location of Ainsworth Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,188 times since then and 103 times this year. Last updated on April 18, 2026, by Clayton Pickett of Richland, Washington. Photos: 1. submitted on September 3, 2025. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 17, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 6. submitted on April 18, 2026, by Clayton Pickett of Richland, Washington. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
