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Introducing Leavenworth
Specializing in "Gemuetlichkeit"
By Charlotte Kohnhorst
Nestled in a cozy narrow valley at elevation of 1100
 feet
with surrounding wilderness of rugged, majestic mountain ranges
reaching 5,000-8,000 feet, lies a quaint Bavarian Village.
Snake-twisting rivers, deep azure lakes, crystal-clear crashing
waterfalls, lush green rolling hills dotted with flourishing
orchards alive with buzzing bees seeking sweet nectar provide the
magnificent backdrop for this active community.
Houses here display pointed peaks with large wooden over-hanging
rooflines on stucco/ timber combination structures. Main street
finds hugging gingerbread-style buildings on one side and beautiful
park abundant with variety of trees on the other. One finds
scalloped trim on the rooflines, intricate folk art cutouts on
balconies, exterior wall murals, window boxes and barrels with
profusion of flowers everywhere! Strolling main street visitors
admire the 96 foot Maibaum, (May Pole) dressed in blue and white
stripes ( traditional Bavarian colors) with attached placards
depicting town's history. These include: logging, railroading,
skiing, mining, dancing, the town band and church - all denote role
of significance to community. Plaque at base of Maibaum offers
traditional
Bavarian blessing:
"Maibaum steh auf, zum weissblauen Himmi
zoag naug, dass in's zu jeglicher Zeit d'Hoamat gedeiht."
Translation: "Maypole rise to the blue-white sky, so our homeland
may forever prosper. Continuing along main street one discovers
shops filled with nutcrackers, dolls, beer steins, music boxes,
candles, candy, cheese,
 toys,
specialty clothes, gifts, and collectibles to tempt shoppers. One
can always find the unusual exceptionally unique gift for that
special person here. Restaurants, cafes and side street "wurst-stands"
offer German cuisine from sausage with sauerkraut to finest dessert
fruit filled pancakes delicately dusted with powered sugar.
Delicacies of every gastronomical desire are easily found and
enjoyed. Hungry visitors always find "Haxen oder Huhn," delicious
goulash accompanied by "Spaetzle oder Kartoffeln," at one of a
variety of good local restaurants specializing in"Gemuetlichkeit."
If you are lucky you might also spot the local German Bierwagen with
its four horse team going through the downtown area. The harness on
the bierwagen is all handmade in Sud-Tyrol, the German speaking part
of Northern Italy. You might also spot a small 200 year old
 German
carriage pulled by Haflinger horses going through their paces. The
wonderful harness for these horses come from the town of Wallgau in
the heart of Bavaria and are handmade. In the summer you can be
assured of entertainment in the Gazebo in the heart of the downtown.
It may be a German group visiting, or a world class yodeler and a
visiting high school band. There's always a surprise for the visitor
to Leavenworth.
Depending upon season, one discovers skiing, sledding, skating,
hiking, rock climbing, camping, fishing, rafting, canoeing, bike
riding, horseback riding, bird watching, and generally thoroughly
enjoying and appreciating nature. There is possibly no greater
spectacular burst of autumn color than Tumwater Canyon in fall.
Sound like you are in Germany? This is Leavenworth, The Bavarian
Village of Washington! Situated in the heart of the state at the
base of the eastern slopes of Cascade Mountain Range, 118 miles east
of Seattle, one can easily drive to Leavenworth via Interstate 90 or
U.S. Highway 2. Both routes guide one through beautiful terrain and
are exceptionally scenic. Mountains and valleys of this area
resemble parts of southern Germany so closely one feels immediately
transported abroad.
Early settlers were Native American Indians and later, the Gold Rush
brought many white settlers. During the 1900's, Leavenworth was a
very small town where logging and fishing were primary industries,
along with pear, apple and cherry orchards. With Stock Market Crash
and Great Depression of 1929-1930's, Leavenworth lost residents and
business owners as people moved to larger cities for better jobs and
better pay. Through the 1940-1950's, Leavenworth became virtually a
"ghost town," with many buildings empty or in sad disrepair. 1960
brought transformation as dream to change the "face" of the town
into a Bavarian Village began. Architects were screened and selected
who could create the look of German buildings. Construction began to
change and adapt roof lines with scallops, decorative shutters, and
attached window boxes. Artists were hired to paint murals on
exterior walls. What a delightful transformation the town
experienced!
Businesses began encouraging women employees to wear Dirndls and
musicians were sought to play German music. Today we are especially
interested in authentic and traditional Bavarian dress. In 1996,
Projekt Bayern was created. This group consists of individuals
dedicated to the preservation of the Bavarian Theme. Several goals
established include: formation of a town band, (Musikkapelle)
holding annual Christkindlmarkt, and seeking a German Sister City in
Bavaria. Our beautiful natural setting and Bavarian Village
uniqueness have made Leavenworth a major tourist area within the
state of Washington, well known throughout the Pacific Northwest and
across the border to neighbors in Canada.
Leavenworth celebrates many festivals throughout the year. January
brings Icefest and February brings Fasching. Springtime means
Maifest, with Grand Parade, street dancing and great entertainment.
Summer brings Kinderfest, International Accordion Festival and
International Folk Dance Festival, and numerous productions by local
Summer Theater Group. As leaves turn, we celebrate Washington State
Autumn Leaf Festival with huge parade and wonderful entertainment.
Oktoberfest follows and by Thanksgiving week-end we offer
Christkindlmarkt. December brings two special week-ends with magic
of Christmas Lighting.
Photos by Bob Smith & Ken Kohnhorst
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