Since the beginning, we've named our soups after real places throughout Washington and the surrounding Northwest. From small towns and mountain peaks to rivers, canyons, and historic landmarks, each name was chosen because it means something to us and the region we call home. Each soup has a story, and so does the place that gave it its name.
The Taneum Canyon has long been a place of natural abundance and seasonal movement for Indigenous peoples, who lived in and traveled through the area for generations, relying on its water, wildlife, and sheltered terrain.
In the mid to late 1800s, settlers arrived and established homesteads throughout the canyon. Over time, farms, orchards, a schoolhouse, a coal mine, and a sawmill at Skull Springs were developed. Timber became one of the region’s primary resources, and logging expanded in the early 1900s, initially using horse-drawn operations.
In 1930, a railroad was constructed up the canyon toward Case Knife Creek, with ties produced at the Taneum Sawmill. The line supported the logging industry until 1939. During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps established a camp near what is now the Taneum Ranger Station, where crews planted trees, fought fires, and maintained trails, providing employment and helping shape the landscape we see today.
Today, Taneum Canyon is home to families and remains a popular destination for camping, hiking, and outdoor recreation. The canyon frames the western horizon from the Rill Specialty Foods facility and is one of the most valued nearby places for employees to explore and enjoy.
