Dryden

The area that is now Dryden was originally called Pine Flat by the local ranchers because of the large Pine trees growing in the area. During the 1890s, these trees were logged and floated down the Wenatchee River to be milled, leaving the land barren and dry.

In 1892, the Great Northern Railway built its mainline through the valley but no town or station was established at that time. Settlers started to arrive in the 1900's with the intent of planting orchards, specifically Apple Trees.

In 1908, the wagon road through Dryden had become State Road No. 7 and in 1919, State Road No. 7 became the Sunset Highway. The highway ran down Main Street and then crossed U.S. 2 and connected to what is now called Stine Hill Road.

By 1915, the railroad had established a railroad depot at Dryden and by 1919, the town had its own bank and school as well as two churches. Currently, Dryden retains a post office, a general store and a small cafe called the Take A Break Cafe which has been in business since the early 1930s and continues to serve hot food to this day.