In 1965, the entire downtown area of Pateros was destroyed when Wells Dam, located six miles downstream, was being constructed on the Columbia River. The entire downtown business district of Pateros was leveled. Paralleling the Columbia River, Pateros' main road, Methow Street, boasted more than forty businesses along its long, tree-lined avenue. A handful of buildings were moved across the railroad tracks into the residential section of town, but most were demolished completely. Gone too were the large shade trees, such as Maple, Blue Spruce, Cottonwood, Birch and Elm from Methow Street. The area was filled with six to seventeen feet of dirt and rock, raising the ground to its present day level. No businesses were able to rebuild for more than a year on the newly filled site. Although some did eventually rebuild, many businesses ceased to exist during this traumatic period or relocated to other promising areas. The pedestrian mall is located over what was once Methow Street.
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