Ephrata
[key]. <1> Borough (2020 pop. 13,794), Lancaster co., SE
Pa., in a prosperous farm area; inc. 1891. There is varied manufacturing. A
noted semimonastic religious community was founded (c.1732) there by
Seventh-Day Baptists under the leadership of Johann Conrad Beissel. This austere colony, the
Ephrata Cloisters, was famous for its music and established (1745) one of
the earliest printing presses in the country. The well-preserved buildings
are maintained as a monument by the state. <2> City (2020
pop. 8,150), Grant co. seat, central Wash.; inc. 1909. Known for its wild
horses, it became a center of horse, cattle, and sheep trading. The
municipal airport was built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1939 to
service military flights until 1945 when it was converted to civilian use.
Local residents were key proponents of the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam to provide irrigation for the region.
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