🌿 Ancient Beginnings
- Cathlapotle & Chinookan Peoples: The area around Vancouver Lake—adjacent to modern Felida—was once home to the Chinookan village of Cathlapotle, a substantial settlement of 700–800 people living in plank houses during the Lewis & Clark Expedition (1804–1806).
- Commemoration: A replica Chinookan plank house was built in 2005 at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, honoring that heritage.
🏘️ Naming & Early Settlement (Late 1800s)
- Felida Post Office (1890): Established northeast of Vancouver Lake, the first postmaster wanted “Lakeview,” but a conflict arose with existing town names. The community was eventually named “Felida,” derived from Felidae, the Latin family of cats, based on postal authority selection over local suggestions like “Polly,” “Thomas,” or “Powley.”
- Education Roots (1896): The Felida School District was formed in 1896 and built its first schoolhouse—parts of that original building still stand near Salmon Creek Greenway.
- Post Office Closure (1906): The small Felida post office operated only until 1906.
🍎 Agriculture & Orchards (Early 1900s)
The region surrounding Felida was known for fertile farmland packed with fruit orchards—apples, cherries, pears, berries—and mixed farms of prunes and plums, all flourishing in Clark County’s rich soils.
🏡 Community Evolution & 20th‑Century Growth
- School Consolidation: Felida School District merged into Salmon Creek (1950), which later integrated into Vancouver Public Schools (1954). The current Felida Elementary was built in 1978, with expansions in 2005 and 2020.
- Neighborhood Coalescence: The Felida Community Neighborhood Association launched in January 1997 to promote quality of life, park development (Felida Park, Raspberry Fields, etc.), and local events like summer picnics and kid-friendly parades.
🚧 Recent Changes & Modern Era
- From Farms to Housing & Retail: Vast orchards and farms, such as Erickson Farms, have been replaced in recent decades by upscale residential developments and shopping centers.
- Population Boom: Felida’s population surged from about 5,683 in 2000 to 9,526 by 2020, evolving from rural roots to a bustling suburban zip code (98685).
- Lake‑side Lifestyle: Nestled between Vancouver Lake and Salmon Creek, Felida offers tranquil lakeside living, parks, trails, and water‑centric recreation like kayaking, paddleboarding, and summer rowing events.
- Local Dining & Brewing: The area now hosts a handful of eateries—Mt. Tabor Brewing, Farrar’s Bistro—serving as community hubs.
- Still Family‑Friendly: Today Felida is considered one of Vancouver’s friendliest and most walkable suburban neighborhoods, with excellent schools, safe streets, and a tight‑knit feel.
🗺️ Summary Timeline
| Era | Key Developments |
|---|---|
| Pre‑1800s | Chinookan community at Cathlapotle |
| 1804–06 | Passage of Lewis & Clark |
| 1890 | Felida post office established |
| 1896 | School district and original schoolhouse |
| Early 1900s | Fruit orchards and farms thrive |
| 1950–54 | School consolidation into Vancouver SD |
| 1978 | New elementary school built |
| 1997 | Neighborhood Association founded |
| 2000s | Transition from farmland to housing |
| 2020 | Population reaches ~9,500; modern suburb |