Formed November 29, 1881 (26th county)
Garfield County (2,288), Pomeroy (1,393)
The Late Victorian white brick courthouse was erected in 1901. The courthouse is on Main Street between 7th and 8th streets. Main Street is United States Highway 12 in the town. Charles Burrgraf is the building designer. The building was renovated in 2011. Lady Justice stands over the entrance and the grounds have veteran memorials as does a park across the street. The county was formed on November 29, 1881 from Columbia County as the 26th county. Pataha City was the first county seat until 1883 when Pomeroy took over. The county is named for United States President James A. Garfield. Pomeroy was named for founder Joseph M. Pomeroy.
Garfield County government consists of a sheriff, an attorney, a clerk, a treasurer, an auditor, and an assessor (executive). It has 3 Commissioners (legislative.) One Superior Court Judge serves Garfield, Asotin, and Columbia counties (judicial.) The county is in the southeast border with Oregon. Spokane, Washington is north and Seattle, Washington is northwest of the county. The Snake River forms its northern border. The county center is 3.5 miles East of Pomeroy nearer Pataha. The county is surrounded clockwise by Whitman and Asotin counties and Oregon and Columbia County.
The area of the county is 710 square miles. It is 33 out of 39 in the state. It ranks 39 out of 39 in population in the state. It has a density of 3.2 persons per square mile making it 39 out of 39 in the state. Garfield County has 60.9% of its population in its incorporated areas. United States Highway 12 crosses east to west through the county from Asotin County to Columbia County. The county resembles ice cream on a stick. Pomeroy is located in the northwest quarter of the county. Pomeroy is the county seat and the largest city since it is the only incorporated city. It has 60.9% of the county population. The county seat is pronounced POM-E-ROY.
Pomeroy
