Frequently Asked Questions

© City of Castle Rock - downtown cafeWhat is Castle Rock's history?

Castle Rock is centered primarily on the donation land claim of Eliza and William Huntington, who settled here in 1852. The city was platted December 12, 1888 and incorporated in 1890. Castle Rock was named after a large volcanic rock formation, which rises 190 feet high. The rock formation, resembling a castle, became a geographic landmark to early river travelers. The city has preserved this site and visitors can hike to the top of ‘The Rock’. The site is located at the intersection of Huntington Avenue South and Front Avenue. Historical markers are located at the base.

Castle Rock received recognition from the Lieutenant Governor’s office for being one of the oldest territories in the State of Washington. The city was platted December 1888 and incorporated in 1890. For further information, see the Secretary of State website.

What is there to do in Castle Rock?

Many outdoor activities are in the area such as: hiking, bicycling, fishing, boating, hunting, and motorcycle racing. In addition, the community hosts the annual Castle Rock Fair held in July, and the Festival of Lights held in December.

What utility services are provided by the city and how do I sign up for such services?

The city provides water, sewer and stormwater utility services for residents within the city limits. A few areas outside the city limits are also served by the city. Each new utility customer is required to pay a deposit and sign a service agreement prior to receiving service. Once this is done, a public works employee will go to the property and read the meter and turn on your service. You will be charged for services from this date forward. Please contact City of Castle Rock Finance Department with questions at (360) 274-8181.

I am new in town. What are the other utility service contact numbers not provided by the city?

Garbage Pickup Waste Control, Longview, Washington (360) 425-4302
Electric Services PUD of Cowlitz County Longview, Washington (360) 423-2210
Television Cable Comcast Longview, Washington (800) 934-6489
Natural Gas Cascade Natural Gas Longview, Washington (360) 423-7470

When are utility payments due?

Monthly Billing Procedures: Utility bills are issued on the last business day of the month. Payment is due by 4:30 PM on the 24th of the following month. If the 24th is a non-business day, the due date shifts to the following business day. Delinquent Account Notices will be sent to customers with balances greater than $11.00. The notice will include information about the final due date and balance to pay in order to prevent disconnection of service. A $10.00 rebilling fee has also been assessed to your account and is reflected in the balance shown on the Delinquent Account Notice. A duplicate copy of this notice will also be sent to the property owner, if different than the account holder. If payment is not received by the due date stated on the notice, services will be disconnected. A disconnect/reconnect fee of $40.00 will be assessed if payment is received after the due date. Any disputes of the amount due must be in writing, by the customer, within ten (10) days from the date of the Delinquent Account Notice and filed at the Finance Office. NOTE: Any amount shown as a ‘past due’ or ‘previous balance’ on the regular monthly billing statement is subject to immediate disconnect procedures. Per RCW 35.21.290 disconnection of water services is considered a lien against the property.

Payments:  You have several payment options available.

In-person (Cash, Check, Money Order)
Castle Rock City Hall
Finance Department
141 A Street SW
Castle Rock, WA 98611

Mail (Check, Money Order)
City of Castle Rock
PO Box 370
Castle Rock, WA 98611

Drop-Box (Check, Money Order)
Castle Rock City Hall
Parking Lot (Near Entrance)
141 A Street SW
Castle Rock, WA 98611

Online (Credit Card, ACH/EFT)
www.ci.castle-rock.wa.us
Use One Time Pay service or
Register for Advanced Features such as:

View/Pay Bills
Recurring Payments (Auto-Pay)
Paperless Billing
Email Notifications
Search Payment History

$3.95 CC Convenience Fee per transaction; Maximum

Transaction Amount of $350.00

$0.95 ACH/EFT Convenience Fee per transaction;

No Maximum Transaction Amount

I am traveling to the Castle Rock area. What services are available in the city?

Key businesses include the US Post Office, grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store, auto repair/parts, a variety of restaurants (both fast food and sit down), bakery, florists, visitor center, gift shops, lodging, gas stations, clothing, towing services, fish/game licensing, feed store, beauty/barber shops, Red Canoe Credit Union, and Fibre Federal Credit Union. For further information, contact the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce at (360) 274-6603.

How far from Castle Rock are the Mt. St. Helens visitor centers on State Route 504?

Note: Mileage amounts are estimates, from Castle Rock, Interstate 5, Exit 49 area.

Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center 5 miles (360) 274-0962
Johnston Ridge Observatory 52 miles (360) 274-2140
Mt. St. Helens Learning Center 33 miles (360) 414-3439

What church affiliations are in the city?

NAME ADDRESS TELEPHONE
Apostolic Lutheran Church 248 Cowlitz St. W. (360) 274-7991
Castle Rock Christian Church 542 Huntington Ave S (360) 274-6771
Castle Rock Seventh Day Adventist 7531 Old Pacific Hwy N (360) 274-6090
First Baptist Church 211 Front Avenue NW (360) 274-4113
Church of the Nazarene 456 Pioneer Avenue NE (360) 274-6546
St. Mary's Catholic Church 635 Buland Drive (360) 274-7404
St. Paul Lutheran Church 312 First Avenue SW (360) 274-6604
St. Matthew’s Episcopal 412 Pioneer Ave NE (360) 274-9393
Timberlake Church 1955 Huntington Ave S (360) 274-7711
Jehovah’s Witness 115 Studebaker Rd (360) 274-7289
Castle Rock United Methodist 241 First Avenue SW (360) 274-4252

Do you have a list of service organizations active in the city?

Community spirit and pride form the foundation of our community. Castle Rock is blessed with many individuals, church groups and community service groups. A listing of community service groups follows:

American Legion
Glen Hoyer Post #175 C
P.O. Box 175
*125 First Ave. SW
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(360) 274-8008

Business Advisory Committee
C/O Wayne Lunday
P.O. Box 310
Castle Rock, WA 98611
For meeting information, contact Wayne Lunday, Quaife’s Insurance, at (360) 274-6691

Castle Rock Fraternal Order of Eagles and Ladies Auxiliary
P.O. Box 698
*224 Huntington Ave S
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(360) 274-9723

Castle Rock Library Board
P.O. Box 1350
*137 Cowlitz St. W
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(360) 274-6961

Castle Rock Lions Club
P.O. Box 776
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(360) 274-8175
Call for meeting and food bank information

Castle Rock Masonic Lodge
& Order of the Eastern Star
P.O. Box 263
Rainbow Girls
P.O. Box 1663
*126 First Ave. SW
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(360) 274-6016

Castle Rock School District
Administration Building
*600 Huntington Ave. S
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(360) 501-2940
www.castlerock.wednet.edu

Castle Rock Women’s Club
P.O. Box 1016
*206 Cowlitz St. W
Castle Rock, WA 98611
Available to rent for events
For meeting or rental information, contact Mary Cothren at (360) 270-3041

Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 72
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(360) 274-6603
www.castlerockchamber.com

Park Board
C/O David Vorse
P.O. Box 370
Castle Rock, WA 98611
For meeting information, contact David Vorse at (360) 274‑7478 or crpwd@ci.castle-rock.wa.us
Download agendas and minutes

Planning Commission
C/O Karlene Akesson, Secretary
P.O. Box 370
Castle Rock, WA 98611
For meeting information, contact Karlene Akesson at (360) 274-8181 ext 301

Senior Center
P.O. Box 652
*222 2nd Ave SW
Castle Rock, WA 98611
(360) 274-7502
Hours: M-W-F: 9-2; Sat. 1-3

Sunnyside Grange Hall #129
Master: Butch Ogden
705 Monahan Rd
*214 Cowlitz St. W
Castle Rock, WA 98611
For Hall rental and meeting information, contact Phyllis Ogden at (360) 274-6013

Toutle Lake School District
*5050 Spirit Lake Hwy
Toutle, WA 98649
(360) 274-6182

*Denotes physical location of building.