Yakima Abstract and Title Company was incorporated August 31, 1899. Its early Trustees were E.E. Kelso (a farmer and county official), W.L. Steinwegand (a banker), Fred Parker (an attorney), and J.T. Foster who also acted as Manager. There were no records from 1899 to 1923, but during much of this time, the plant was operated by Tom Martin, who sold his interest in 1923.

The new owners and officers included L.H. Roberts, President (an attorney and board member of a savings and loan), L.F. Janek, Vice President (a mortgage broker), L.O. Janek, Treasurer (a real estate broker), and Elizabeth Osborne, Secretary. Miss Osborne also acted as the Manager, and was active in the Washington Land Title Association (WLTA). Around 1928, the company was operated as a partially owned agent of Washington Title Insurance. Yakima Abstract and Title became an affiliate of Washington Title Insurance Company in 1930. In January 1929 the company bought its own building at 20 North Second Street in Yakima. The structure was rebuilt in 1934 and enlarged in 1943. Yakima Abstract and Title Company became an affiliate of Washington Title Insurance Company in 1930.

Yakima Title Company
20 North 2nd Street
Bought in 1929

Yakima Diamond Jubilee
1960

J.T. Lacy was elected President of the company on July 15, 1937, and was named Manager on May 31, 1944. Mrs. Bessie Murphy was elected Assistant Manager at this same time and, on April 20, 1950, was elected Manager of the company. J.T. Lacey also served as WLTA President from 1936 -1937.
The name Yakima Abstract and Title Company was changed to Yakima Title Company on August 22, 1949. In 1956, Yakima Title Company was purchased by Washington Title . Washington Title then began operating as Pioneer Title Company in 1965. Bessie Murphy remained the Manager during both transition phases and continued in her management position until 1972.

Ron Romaneski managed Pioneer Title Company from 1972-1973, with Cliff Despeaux acting as Assistant Manager during that year. Cliff Despeaux stepped into the Manager position in 1973, and continued as Manager until 1978, at which point Pat Gallagher took over that role. The title operation moved in 1973, from the building at 20 N. 2nd Street, to 210 N. Second Street, where it stayed for ten years. In 1982, Pioneer Title became Ticor Title Insurance Company , and the business relocated to the Chinook Tower in 1983. Pat Gallagher held the Manager position until 1991.
In 1991, Chicago Title bought out Ticor Title Company , then subsequently sold to Yakima County Title Company, Inc. doing business as Yakima Title & Escrow on April 15, 1991. Del Rawlins served as Vice President / Manager of Yakima Title & Escrow from 1991 to 1999. On May 1, 1999 Brenda Rawlins became Vice President /Manager of Yakima Title & Escrow, and she continues to enjoy her employment in this capacity. With Brenda as County Manager, Yakima Title & Escrow changed it's role from an affiliate to a branch of First American Title in November 2002.

First American Title is proud of the fact that it possesses the oldest original title plant in Yakima County.

Yakima Abstract & Title
1930

First American Title
Toll Free Phone: 1-800-552-6481
120 North Naches Avenue * Yakima * Washington * 98901
4001 Summitview Avenue, Suite 2D * Yakima * Washington * 98908
Phone: (509) 248-7550 * Fax: (509) 248-2319 * Westpark Fax: (509) 966-3731
E-mail website questions or problems to WEBMISTRESS@YAKIMATITLE.COM