Chewelah offers access to recreation without resort-town rush
Chewelah is a small city north of Spokane, a checkerboard of residential lots that sprawl out from a central main street. It sits in the shadow of Chewelah Peak, the church steeple and well-kept brick storefronts around Main Avenue conjuring memories of Mayberry. “The town hasn’t changed much in my 63 years, and I mean that in a good way,” says Realtor Michael Schmidt of John L. Scott Real Estate. “It’s like a town from a TV show, where everybody knows everybody else. There hasn’t been much new development in the center, so all the neighborhoods are well-kept, which gives it a sort of time capsule atmosphere. Despite being close to a ski resort, it manages not to feel like a resort town. It’s the kind of place where locals have been able to stay for six or even seven generations.”
Creeks and renovated homes define Chewelah's streetscapes
Although there has been some recent construction, most homes in Chewelah proper are older, reflecting the community’s roots. “Most new development has happened on the outskirts of town,” Schmidt says. “The older homes in town have been kept up nicely. There are creeks that split into a couple of forks and run through backyards. It’s a whole different feel from Spokane, and you can get a nicer home for the same price, if not cheaper.” Manufactured homes can price between $65,000 and $300,000, depending on build year, number of bedrooms and square footage. Site-built cottages and bungalows with Craftsman features can cost anywhere from $105,000 to $425,000, varying based on lot size, build year and number of bedrooms. Newer Modern Traditional builds, most often found on the outskirts of the town, can fetch prices up to $700,000.
City Park is a gathering point for residents
At City Park in Chewelah, children can play on the small jungle gym or picnic beneath tall shade trees along the banks of Chewelah Creek. The park also has an outdoor amphitheater and hosts the Chewelah Farmers Market on Fridays between May and October. In the center of town, locals play pickup games at Chewelah Baseball Field or bowl at Fools Lanes. The city intends to expand the available parks by 2030. “Otherwise, there are plenty of hunting and fishing spots, and lots of national forest around the town. People often go kayaking in the rivers and lakes,” Schmidt says. “And it’s about 10 miles from the 49 Degree North Ski Resort.”
Main Avenue offers modern options with a timeless feel
The Safeway on Colville Avenue is Chewelah’s main supermarket. The closest big-box retailers are Walmart and Target in Spokane, although residents can pick up daily necessities and DIY project materials at Setys Ace Hardware on Main Avenue. “The main drag is full of old storefronts that have been renovated through the years,” Schmidt says. “They’ve added some cute coffee shops and a little brewery, and they’ve done a great job making sure that everything blends in.” Bakeries like The Bread Box and breakfast spots like Monica’s Buttermilk Kitchen round out the selection.
The Chewelah School District offers traditional and alternate pathways
Children in Chewelah are zoned to attend Chewelah School District 36, which scores an overall C from Niche. Gess Elementary School, located across Third Street from City Park, receives a C-minus. Jenkins Junior/Senior High, which serves students from grades 7 through 12, earns a C-plus. The district also allows for enrollment in Quartzite Learning, a public alternative pathway for all students from kindergarten through grade 12. Quartzite Learning offers online, onsite and remote courses catered to each student’s individual needs.
U.S. 395 is the only area thoroughfare
There is one highway cutting through Chewelah, connecting the community to the nearest major city. “Spokane is about 40 minutes south via U.S. Route 395, the main highway,” Schmidt says. “Some people make that commute, but mostly they go there for the Spokane International Airport.” The closest hospital is Providence St. Joseph's on the east side of town.
