Tieton is a century old orchard town in Central Washington. As agri-business has evolved, so too did space and technology demands. The vintage legacy warehouses were abandoned, to be replaced by modern structures, which helped the region remain competitive in the global economy.

However, change also shifted the landscape of the city, and for those who lived there.
Tieton’s story mirrored those of rural farming towns everywhere.

The abandoned buildings no longer served obvious purposes, so they sat vacant for many years. As dramatic and appealing as the spaces were, they didn’t serve any obvious and practical uses. But times change . . .

The former Horticultural Union is the current focus of the Mighty Tieton team’s imagination. The story of getting to this point is unusual. Perhaps even inspiring.

Dating from 1918, it is 170,000 square feet on several floors, situated on five acres within the city limits.

Mighty Tieton started in 2005 as a modest, self-funded experiment to connect urban creative ambitions with unused, somewhat neglected buildings.
Mighty Tieton purchased eight buildings and gradually refurbished them into production spaces for creative enterprises, event venues, residences, and a clinic. These businesses generate training and jobs for many of the residents, and connect them to the larger creative world.

For the last two decades, Tieton has developed a reputation for connecting urban, entrepreneurial creatives who, through adaptive reuse of the architecture and an ability to tap into local culture, talent, and skill, help to create businesses that are redefining Tieton’s future.

Tieton Mosaic is one of the businesses that took root here. It’s now producing impressive public art for sites around the country.

The Tieton Cabin Company designs and manufactures prefabricated cabins of first rate design, aesthetics, and construction quality in the Mighty Tieton Warehouse. These can be shipped and installed quickly and easily on conventional and unconventional sites and environments.

Hort ideas that could work here

  • Art-inspired hotel 

  • Brewery

  • Community radio station

  • The Engine Room, a "co-working speakeasy”  

  • Events center

  • Indoor (all seasons) sports amenities for kids and adults

  • Beverage CO-OP production 

  • Ag innovations center 

  • Loft housing 

  • El Paseo /terminal market connecting HORT to town square 

  • Expansion of city park

Other than fresh ideas and entrepreneurial needs outside the area that can be realized here, a core characteristic of the initiatives that have successfully taken root here is authenticity to history, community, and place.

The community of Tieton inspires much of the direction for the future development. Each idea has to include direct benefit to today’s residents. The core principles of B Corporation business structures are central to Tieton’s future.

Some of the most innovative ideas – ones that would be hard to pull off in urban areas – are the ones that are the most welcome in Tieton. It is understood here that old, standard-issue concepts aren’t going to have the same impact as bold, somewhat audacious initiatives. That nimbleness is a valuable asset.

The future here is bright.

For more information: mightytieton.com