Shaded by locust and maple trees, this is an orchard community but perhaps best known as the home of “Aplets, the confection of the fairies,” a sweetmeat flavored with apple juice and enriched by walnuts and spices. Tours are available of the Liberty Orchards Factory, which makes Aplets and Cotlets along with other fruit candies and chocolates, at the corner of Aplets Way and Mission Ave. Cashmere’s main commercial street is lined with locally owned businesses. Mills also once manufactured boxes for the shipment of apples, pears, and cherries here.

Established in 1889 and platted in 1895 as Mission by J. F. Woodring and I. W. Sherman; however, it turned out another town in the state shared the name. In 1902 Judge James H. Chase, who had visited the Vale of Kashmir in India and liked that name, changed the town’s name to Cashmere. Today, there are two notable historic areas: the Cottage Avenue Historic District, a modest residential neighborhood. and Pioneer Village, a collection of 20 pioneer structures dating back to the late 1800s. Both districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and Washington Heritage Register.