Tenino, WA

A family-friendly small town with a rock-solid history! Like many Western towns, Tenino got its start when an entrepreneurial pioneer traveled across the country in search of open space and opportunity.

Tenino Community Guide

History

Things to Do

Trip Ideas

Where to Eat

Where to Stay

History of Tenino

Settled by Stephen Hodgden, a gold-seeker from Maine, Tenino earned a spot on the map when the Northern Pacific Railroad created a stop there in 1872. (Despite numerous legends and myths about T-9-0, the town is likely named after the steamship Tenino on the Columbia, named after a collective of tribes now known as the Warm Springs bands.)

Tenino grew into a boomtown in the late 19th century thanks to its supply of sandstone, a resource that was exported to Seattle and San Francisco following those cities’ devastating fires. The pale stone remains the defining architectural feature of many local buildings, even though it fell out of use by the early 20th century. Nowadays, the old quarry serves the community as the town pool, a favorite all-ages activity for residents and visitors alike on a hot day.

That’s not Tenino’s only creative use of resources; its other claim to fame is its wooden money, a local currency created to help locals get through the Great Depression. The scrip was reintroduced and approved by the state auditor as legitimate money during the Covid-19 pandemic to help residents in need and to keep the local economy moving.

Put your money where your mouth is, and take advantage of Tenino’s vibrant dining scene, from lakeside dining at Lady of the Lake Public House to the much-loved Don Juan’s Mexican Kitchen and the stick-to-your-ribs breakfast of Sandstone Cafe. With a full belly, you’ll be powered up to browse Tenino’s signature shops, including Iron Works Boutique, Tenino Antiques Mall, and the oddities of Tenino Time Machine.

Sandstone Distillery

Unique Things to Do in Tenino

Oregon Trail Days

While the heyday of sandstone and saloons may be in Tenino’s past, the small town continues to celebrate old times with an annual Oregon Trail Days festival. At this July weekend of all things pioneer, participants can hone their homesteading skills and face off in a festival favorite, the black powder rifle shooting contest.

Quarry Pool

Surrounded by the high walls of the old sandstone quarry, this pit of fresh, cold water is the place to be on hot days. Apparently formed when miners struck a spring over 100 years ago and flooded the quarry, the public pool contains quite a bit of history. A wading pool area suits younger children, while a deeper section offers a raft and a diving board for the more experienced.

Millersylvania State Park

Located alongside Deep Lake, Millersylvania offers campsites, hiking trails, swimming, boating, and a place to while away a sunny afternoon with an ice cream or a beer from one of the beachside concessions. To live on the wild side, book a glamp site with Pampered Wilderness, where you can sleep on a memory foam mattress in a luxury tent under the stars.

Train Depot Museum

The original sandstone train depot, built in 1914, decommissioned after WWII, and moved to the city park in 1965, is packed with artifacts from the town’s history. Examine the original wooden money printing press, tools from the logging and pioneer days, and articles about the area’s intriguing past.

Farmers’ Market

On Saturdays between May and September, Tenino hosts a bustling farmers market. Produce stands and artisan and craft vendors provide shoppers the opportunity to buy local, sustainable, and healthy products. The mission of the market is to empower people to make good food choices and to give back to the community. Located in Downtown Tenino.

Sandstone Walking Tour

Connect with the past by taking a self guided tour of Tenino’s sandstone buildings, including the State Bank of Tenino, Tenino City Hall, the Train Depot Museum, and what’s left of the original quarry house. For information on the structures and a map, visit teninoacc.org. Located in Downtown Tenino.

Monarch Sculpture Park

Just off the Chehalis Western Trail sits this unique five-acre park and home to over 100 sculptures by renowned local, national, and international artists, as well as a giant butterfly maze (currently undergoing restoration) and a sound garden.

Offut Lake Resort

With roots in the early 20th century heyday of lake resorts, Offut provides camping, cabins, fishing, swimming, boat rentals, and the Lady of the Lake Public House restaurant, which serves burgers and seafood with views of the water.

Sandstone Distillery

Sandstone produces high-quality craft spirits with Washington-grown grains and pure, local water. Stop by for a flight Wednesday-Sunday between 12pm-5pm or by appointment to try the bacon-infused vodka, the stone-carver gin, or a fruity Wild Heart sipping vinegar.

Tenino Creative District

Certified in 2020 by the Washington State Arts Commission, the Tenino Creative District embraces history, business, and creativity along a walkable stretch of town. Watch for the Tenino Spring Market, Oregon Trail Days, Tenino Holiday Market, and the Tenino Arts Creative Market (10am–3pm on second Saturdays May-September). Visit the Tenino Stone Carvers Shed for a hands-on way to share the history and artistry of the local stone carving tradition. Meet the stone carvers on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer and Saturdays during the winter. Located in Downtown Tenino.