A brisk little trading center, with a grain elevator and one of the largest cheese factories in the State. About 1888 August H. Richter built a store here and founded the town. The surrounding plains were used by the Hudson’s Bay Company and, later, by the United States Army for pasture lands.

Battle Ground is a small town with nearby lakes, streams and forest service areas offering many recreational opportunities. The city’s name comes from a battle that never took place. In 1855, some Klickatat tribal members escaped from Fort Vancouver and Captain Strong headed up the army in charge of bringing the Native Americans back. Upon meeting with the Native Americans, their chief, Chief Umtuch, promised Strong that the Native Americans would return to the fort. When Chief Umtuch was unexpectedly killed, Strong allowed the Native Americans to bury him, and the Native Americans returned to the fort. In thanks for not forcibly bringing them back, Captain Strong was presented a petticoat for bravery and courage. This area later became known as “Strong’s Battle Ground.”