The Tri-Cities of Washington are Richland, Pasco and Kennewick—three cities clustered near one another in the vast plains and deserts of Washington state, to the east of the Cascade Mountains. It’s a region that seems like it would have little to attract newcomers—it’s largely remote, prone to dust storms, not close to any major city.
But, over the decades, this area has drawn people from the world over for reasons as various as nuclear bombs, wine-making, and harvesting sugar beets. In this episode, we’ll explore the secret history of the area, the surprising mix of residents, what’s drawn them here and why.