The humble hop is a vital aspect of Washington's early economic history, even if the dairy, coal, and lumber sectors all played larger and more important roles. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Yakima Valley's charming green bines—hop vine cones—that grow high on trellises contributed to the creation of agricultural commerce hubs and wealth accumulation. 

Beginning with plantings in Western Washington in the middle of the 1860s, the hop industry grew rapidly. The crop started to attract attention as production increased and there was proof of high-quality hops. The New York Times reported in September 1891 that "Washington is the only State in the Union where hop growing is carried on with more success than in Washington." 

Listen now to learn more about this fascinating Evergreen State crop!