Methow Cycle and Sport

Methow Cycle and Sport is on land that was Henry “Harry” Greene’s homestead. Harry was Guy Waring’s eldest stepson, and when the Waring family went back east after their first trading company store burned in the winter of 1893, Harry stayed and applied for a homestead, which became most of downtown Winthrop and land on the west side of the Chewuch River where the baseball field and Mack Lloyd Park are. Harry sold most of his 160-acre homestead to Waring’s Methow Trading Company, and the business short platted and sold town lots.

The Methow Cycle and Sport property’s history includes the earliest town park, Riverside Park. It is now named Mack Lloyd Park. In the mid-1900s, the park was used for picnics, 4th of July celebrations and speeches and as a rest stop near town. Across the street was the baseball field (still the same location) and for a while the Winthrop Rodeo grounds. Baseball games were summer Sunday afternoon social events, and the Winthrop and Twisp rivalry dates from this time and activity.

Simon Shafer and wife Joyce owned this land for many years after Harry Greene.   "Simon Shafer was the most successful entrepreneur and philanthropist Winthrop has ever seen before 1950. Starting from being “broke” in 1923, he evolved his holdings into a large general merchandise store, expanding into apple orchards, packing sheds, warehouses and into the potato business. He had the remarkable ability during the depression years to barter in lieu of cash and give credit for the hard pressed over long periods of time. Many families in later years spoke with admiration how they had been helped by Simon Shafer during those depression years. Equally important is what he and his family gave back to the community including financing Winthrop’s Town Baseball Team in the late 1930s and early 1940s. and creation of the Shafer Museum followed by enthusiastic community support.........................." Dale Dibble quoted from "Pioneer Families"

In modern times, Methow Cycle and Sport provides locals and visitors with equipment for cycling, skiing, snowshoeing, and floating on rivers and lakes - but those activities have been important ways to have fun and get around in the Methow Valley for many years.