Leavenworth

Known as the "Bavarian Village", Leavenworth holds a unique distinction. The town reinvented itself from a declining logging town to a Bavarian-style tourist destination.

In the 1960s, the town of Leavenworth’s business leaders decided to “go Bavarian” and adopted a southern German theme. The idea was such a success that in 1978, the city council required a Bavarian theme for all new construction as a condition to receive a building permit. By the mid-1980s, a million tourists a year visited this faux-Bavarian village surrounded by 9,000 foot peaks. Visitors descend upon the town for Oktoberfest and the Christmas season, many arriving on special Christmas trains from the Seattle area. Today, it's famous for its Oktoberfest and Christmas lighting festival.

Originally a haven for Native American tribes, Leavenworth transitioned from a bustling logging town to a near ghost town after the railroad diverted its route. In the 1960s, town leaders embarked on a bold endeavor to revitalize Leavenworth by transforming it into a Bavarian-style village. This vision included downtown renovations and the introduction of festivals like the Autumn Leaf Festival and the Christmas Lighting Festivals. The strategy proved immensely successful, turning Leavenworth into a top tourist destination in the Pacific Northwest, attracting over a million visitors annually. Today, visitors can immerse themselves in the town's rich history by exploring the Greater Leavenworth Museum during their visit.

Admin. (2021, June 11). History - Leavenworth Washington. Leavenworth Washington. https://leavenworth.org/history/