Mineand

Mineand is a small, unincorporated community situated in the northern foothills of the Cascadian range, within the jurisdiction of the county of Alderbrook. The settlement lies at an elevation of approximately 620 meters above sea level and is positioned near the confluence of the Willow and Granite streams. The area’s climate is classified as temperate continental, featuring cold winters with average January temperatures around –3 °C and mild summers with July averages near 18 °C.

The origins of Mineand date to the early 1880s, when prospectors established a series of placer mining operations along the nearby waterways. The name derives from the phrase “mine and settle,” reflecting the dual activity of extraction and habitation undertaken by the initial settlers. By the turn of the 20th century, the community diversified its economy to include timber logging and small‑scale agriculture, particularly the cultivation of hardy root vegetables and orcharding of apple and pear varieties.

As of the most recent census, Mineand’s population numbers roughly 420 residents, with a demographic composition predominantly of European descent, complemented by a growing number of families of Indigenous and Hispanic heritage. Local governance is administered through the Alderbrook County Board of Commissioners, with community services provided by the county’s fire and sheriff departments. Educational needs are met by the nearby Willowbrook Elementary School, while secondary students attend Alderbrook High School in the adjacent town of Cedar Falls. Despite its modest size, Mineand maintains a regional reputation for annual folk festivals celebrating its mining heritage and for the preservation of traditional woodworking crafts.