Article and photography by Natasha Petrosova
Cima was founded in 1900s when H.C. Gibson established the first store here. In 1905 the first post office was opened in the store. Gibson refused to pump the gas for his customers and therefore may have created a first self-service station in the county. Cima served as both railroad siding and a commercial center for ranchers and miners.
By Late 1940s and early 1950s population in Cima started to decline. The Kelso Depot served as a significant element in the Union Pacific’s contributions to the American war effort during World War II. The end of World War II marked the beginning of a long decline in the depot’s utility. The sharp decline in the volume of freight traffic and diesel engines replacing steam caused a reduction in services and the need for fewer employees. In 1947 Vulcan Mine closed their operations further reducing freight and passenger traffic. A surge of activity occurred with the outbreak of the Korean War in the early 1950s, resulting in a renewal of high traffic levels on the Union Pacific line for several years. In 1953 and 1957, attempts were made to market the low-grade iron ore stockpiled at the Vulcan Mine. However, higher horse power, second generation diesel-electric locomotives of the 1960s resulted in the further decline in Union Pacific personnel needed at Kelso and Cima. This technological change eliminated the need for helper locomotives entirely in 1959. Coupled with the closing of the station agency and cessation of passenger train service to near by town Kelso on August 14, 1964.
Today Cima is a ghost town. However , a few people still live here. The store had been closed for decades , but it still stands but so are a few abandoned cabins.
