DRIVING TOUR
Sometimes there’s just not enough time, even in slower-paced places like Plain. You may only be driving through or have a few hours – this short scenic and historical driving tour will hopefully give you a glimpse into this place we call home.
#1 Downtown Plain
Drive slowly through or you might miss it all together, or maybe you won’t since it tends to be a pretty popular place. Plain Hardware sells three different historical books on the area as well as maps and guides. You may want to grab a snack or delicious coffee for your drive. Old Mill Cafe features fun, old historical photos of the area.
#2 Historic Homes
From the corner of Beaver Valley Road and Chapel Drive you can see 5 historical landmarks. That is because this spot is what used to be “downtown.” The Burgess’s first home and one of the oldest structures in the valley (built in the late 1800’s) used to be near the lone oak tree across the street. It was moved in 1936 across the street to where it stands now. It was also the first home in Plain to have a phone so the Burgesses took messages for everyone in the area. The Burgess Barn that is still standing in the corner was raised in 1897. It is held together with wood pegs that Mrs. Burgess whittled by hand from sticks. The Burgess steam-powered sawmill was built in 1911 just behind the barn and occupied most of that corner. Crews went to lunch when they heard the steam whistle blow at noon.
#3 River Road
You won’t need to drive far down River Road to find Plain’s Old White Schoolhouse which is located on the left just before the old footbridge that crosses over the Wenatchee River. It was built in 1912 and was actually the third schoolhouse in Plain. It had a potbellied stove for warmth during cold winters, an outhouse and “cloak” closet. Students had to take turns each morning filling the water bucket down at the river. Everyone, including the teachers, shared one ladle for drinking. The building was also used for years as the community center and for church meetings.
It now belongs to The Grunwald Art Guild and they use it as their private library and occasional classroom.
If you walk across the bridge you can see the current Plain Community Church, (The bell still rings from the steeple on Sunday mornings!) and now defunct Grange Hall which the church uses for classrooms and a gym.
#4 Winton School
The Winton School, built in the 1920’s in the now ghost town of Winton near Cole’s Corner, was a one room school house for the children of mill workers, loggers and railroad employees. The school’s maximum enrollment was 20 students (grades 1-4) until 2001 when the new Beaver Valley School was built. The little red building was moved to this location in 2002 and serves as an additional classroom and fun reminder of the old days.
#5 Lake Wenatchee
Drive into Lake Wenatchee State Park (south entrance) even if you don’t have time to stop and walk around. The views of the lake, the surrounding mountains and Emerald Island are spectacular and you will see why this lake lives in the heart of our community.
#6 To the end of the Road.
We only suggest you drive to the end of White River Road if you have a spare hour. It is a mere19 miles from Downtown Plain to the end, but it will take you at least 30 minutes each way and that is without stopping. Each season shows itself off nicely on this windy, narrow, scenic road. There are a few places of note along the drive that are described nicely in the link below. (Screen shot it; there is no cell service out there.)