[3] The first inhabitants of the area were the Tkai'waichash-hlama, a band or tribe of Native American people who lived along Cowiche Creek.

The area was settled in the late nineteenth century by farmers who relied upon crops that did not require irrigation, such as wheat, barley, rye, and grazing cattle.

Homesteading in Cowiche was difficult since fields had to be cleared of volcanic rock before they could be tilled and there was little rainfall in summer.

[citation needed] Cowiche, along with the neighboring town of Tieton, is served by the Highland School district homepage.

The community takes great pride in its high school sports programs, and in 1988 their varsity men's basketball team won the Washington State A division championship.