Our Community
Pullman, Washington is located in the Southeast portion of Washington State, in the Palouse region of Whitman County. The city’s original name was Three Forks, due to the three rivers that converge in Pullman; Missouri Flat Creek, Dry Fork, and the South Palouse. Pullman, WA was incorporated in 1886. Residents, many who are third and fourth generation Pullman residents claim that the early city fathers changed the name of their community to Pullman in order to win a considerable endowment from George Pullman, of railroad car fame and fortune. He was best known for the railroad dining and sleeping cars that bear his name.
Pullman, Washington (population of 25,357 in 2006) covers an area of 8.32 miles, most of which is rolling hills. The major roads serving Pullman, Washington are State Routes 27 & 270 and US Highway 195. The Palouse Scenic Byway also goes through the city of Pullman. Pullman Transit offers public transportation. Pullman Transit serves over one million customers yearly, and has been used as a model for the development of other rural community transit systems nationwide.
The city of Pullman is home to Washington State University. This 620-acre campus is ranked as a top-tier research university by the Carnegie Foundation and offers over 200 fields of study. The WSU football team The Cougars, and University Events provide major events that showcase the University and the city of Pullman, Washington. Lawson Gardens, with year-round colorful displays around the reflecting pool and gazebo is a popular destination, while the Pullman Civic Theater offers popular and affordable live theater.
Washington State University is Pullman’s major employer, employing 5,5678 people. The second largest employer is Schweitzer Engineering, with 970 employees.
Pullman is also a farming community, and when you've got something special, you have a festival featuring it! Pullman’s festival is the annual National Lentil Festival. The festival is a two-day event featuring the Lentil Cook-Off Taste Test and 200 gallons of lentil chili, free for the tasting.


