Medical Lake, WA

For centuries, Native Americans came to Medical Lake to bathe in the lake and to extract salts from the lake for medical purposes. The area was settled around 1880, and the Medical Lake Salts Company was established. This company extracted salt from the lake to make ointments and soaps. In 1904, Washington Central Railroad extended the rail line from Spokane to Medical Lake, and the lake became a popular resort area. As a result, Medical Lake is considered the "first spa" of the Inland Empire.

The name "Medical Lake" is often attributed to an early settler named Andrew Lefevre. In the mid-1800s, Lefevre was driving sheep toward Medical Lake when he was badly injured. He bathed in Medical Lake and the pain supposedly left him. Amazed by the lake's healing power, he decided to built a home near the lake and use the land for farming. Following the tradition of the Native Americans, he named the town "Medical Lake."

The town's population (which often swelled on weekends due to vacationers using the "Interurban" train) remained fairly small and steady until 1940, when an Army Air Corps depot was established near Medicine Lake during WWII. That depot was renamed Fairchild Air Force Base in 1950, and it became a major Strategic Air Command base. Many Medical Lake residents work at the base, which has become an important part of the area's economy.

Eastern State Hospital was built in 1891 as a psychiatric hospital. The hospital, now called Lakeland Village, is one of only two state-owned psychiatric hospitals in the state of Washington.

You'll discover a variety of restaurants scattered throughout Medical Lake (get a sandwich at Bruchi's, located off Lefevre Street, for example), but many of the local hotspots are located downtown, especially along Lake Street. Some of the restaurants include El Txtapa, which is known for its Salsa and Cabbage, and the Pizza Factory, a quick-and-easy, counter-serve pizza joint. Join friends for after-work drinks at One 14 Bar & Grill or start your morning off at Tommy G's, the local coffee shop.

Located just 10 miles northeast of Medical Lake, Northern Quest Resort & Casino offers terrific nightlife in the form of a casino, a spa, several restaurants, lounges, a nightclub, and even a cigar room. Concerts and performances by famous musicians and comedians are also offered. Make it a "staycation" and enjoy the luxury resort with indoor pool. The casino is within walking distance of the Spokane County Raceway.

Head to downtown Spokane to take in a hockey game or other event at Spokane Arena, attend a concert at the Knitting Factory, or catch a play at the INB Performing Arts Center.

Getting to and from Spokane is easy when you live in Medical Lake. The Spokane Transit Authority provides service to Spokane every 90 minutes, and it takes just 28 minutes to reach the city center. If you prefer to drive, take Highway 902 to I-90 to quickly reach Spokane International Airport and downtown Spokane. Fairchild AFB is located off Brooks Road. To get to Eastern Washington University, follow West Medical Lake 4 Lakes Road to Highway 904 and you'll reach the school in about 15 minutes.

Medical Lake provides several parks and marinas, from the small Peper Park to the large Medical Lake Waterfront Park. This park is the location of the annual Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival, one of the top festivals in the Northwest. Waterfront Park also offers a sand beach and picnic areas. Coney Island Park, located downtown, is a terrific green space for spotting wildlife -- from bald eagles to moose. Take the kids to Pioneer Park or to Wilcox Park to enjoy the playgrounds and picnic areas. For joggers and walkers, the Medical Lake Trail System features four miles of paved trails, one of which encircles Medical Lake.

Even though you are surrounded by some of the most spectacular lakes in the region, living in Medical Lake isn't as expensive as you might think. The average rent for an apartment in Medical Lake is about $685. To buy a house will cost about $158,000, which is much less than the state average of $251,000. You'll have plenty of options when looking for employment in Medical Lake. While this is considered a bedroom community and many residents commute to Spokane, other options include Fairchild AFB, Spokane International Airport, Eastern Washington State University, Northern Quest Resort and Casino, and Lakeland Village.

Downtown Medical Lake contains locally-owned shops, such as Medical Lake Flower Shop and Medical Lake Liquor & Wine. Located off Lefevre Street, Denny's Harvest Foods is the area's favorite grocery store. Head to nearby Spokane for a day of shopping at River Park Square, a large mall that features Nordstrom, Chico's, Williams-Sonoma, Banana Republic, J. Jill, and more. Downtown Spokane also features boutiques, art galleries, thrift stores, and gift shops.