| There are many states that started out with one or | | | | code would be needed as soon as the year 2002. |
| two area codes, but have since added more. If you | | | | However, this idea was stopped, as there were still |
| look at Washington state, you will see that they | | | | plenty of unused prefixes, and about 2.6 million unused |
| started with two, and have since added four to keep | | | | phone numbers. There may still be an addition, but it is |
| up with the ever increasing need for new numbers, | | | | preferred that this happens when it is really needed. |
| mostly thanks to fax lines and cellular phones. Of all of | | | | When you are getting calls from the 509 area code, |
| the area codes in this state, the 509 code covers the | | | | you can be relatively certain that you are getting a call |
| most geographical area. | | | | from within the eastern part of Washington State. This |
| Technically, the 509 area code is not the first one in | | | | covers at least half of the state, and includes cities like |
| Washington state. 206 was the first, but that needed | | | | Walla Walla, Yakima, and Spokane. Because this code |
| to be split. That was done so in the year 1957. Though | | | | covers such a large expanse of the state, you may |
| this split was much like the splits that happen today, it | | | | not be getting calls from a major city, but rather, a |
| was not for the same reasons. Back then, the need | | | | more rural area. |
| for more numbers had nothing to do with cellular | | | | When you want to know where a call is coming from, |
| phones and even fax lines, as they did not exist then. | | | | you can first figure out the origin of the area code. If |
| Instead, it was simply a matter of rising population | | | | your number begins with the 509 area code, you know |
| within the state. | | | | it comes from eastern Washington state, and you can |
| There was a request made in 2000 to add a new | | | | then do a narrower search on the area code 509 for |
| area code within the current area that is covered by | | | | more information on the number. |
| the current 509 area code. Some felt that the new | | | | |