There's something
for everyone in Grays Harbor
Grays Harbor County truly has many activities to meet everyone's
needs. Whether it's hiking through the rain forest, whale watching,
kite flying, or antique shopping, chances are you can find it
in Grays Harbor. This article first appeared in 2002
Oakville
Located south of Elma on Hwy. 12, the City of Oakville was
incorporated in 1905. "Oakville" was named after scrub
trees found around the area. Oakville became a lively town in
the early 1900s as it became home for railroad construction workers.
Oakville's old corner-style bank has its place in the history
books as it is the last bank to be robbed by horseback.
Oakville offers its own flavor of the past for those who walk
or drive through town. Historic buildings like the Oakville Hardware
Store and other historic buildings give Oakville an old fashioned
flavor.
Each Fourth of July weekend Oakville plays host to an Independence
Day Parade, while the Black Hills Wranglers host their Professional
Rodeo.
In September Oakville hosts their annual Zucchini Jubilee, which
consists of a poker run, Bluegrass music and fair.
Oakville is the primary gateway to Grays Harbor for visitors
coming into the county from I-5 north of Centralia.
McCleary
Like Oakville, the City of McCleary is also one of the first
towns visitors come to when they enter Grays Harbor County. Located
east of Elma, McCleary was founded in 1897 by Timber Baron Henry
McCleary, who started a cedar mill along with a log and ship
spar business in the town. In 1910 Mr. McCleary built what was
to become one of the largest door plants in the nation. He sold
his door plant to Simpson Timber Company on Jan. 1, 1942. The
City of McCleary became incorporated that same year.
The McCleary Museum helps to illustrate the town's history, as
does the Old McCleary Hotel, which is locally owned and noted
for its fine home cooking and hospitality. Mr. McCleary's own
1905 locomotive is housed at Beerbower Park, which is a central
gathering place for those attending the annual Bear Festival
held each July. The Bear Festival, which is noted for its Bear
Stew, also supports one of the biggest parades in the county.
McCleary is the primary gateway for those coming to Grays Harbor
on Hwy. 8 from Olympia.
Elma
Once an established trading center for settlers who came to
the Chehalis Valley, the City of Elma is a community that offers
year-round entertainment thanks to the efforts of the historic
Elma Theater and the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds.
Founded by Joseph Young and James Long Waldrip, Elma became incorporated
in 1888. It is believed that Waldrip named the town after Elma
Austin, a daughter of an early homesteader.
In the beginning Elma was a small town, but in a matter of 10
years it had acquired a school, hospital, newspaper and bank.
The town continued to flourish as people became more active in
the timber industry. The area also became an attraction for those
interested in agriculture.
Elma's economy still remains vibrant today thanks in part to
the agricultural industry.
Products produced in the surrounding area include milk, vegetables,
flowers, nursery stock and fodder, as well as breeding livestock,
horses and llamas. Elma is also becoming a bedroom community
for those working in Olympia.
Elma is home to the Grays Harbor County Fair which is held in early August. Elma Outlaw Days will be held in mid August in conjuntion
with the World of Outlaw races at Grays Harbor Raceway Park in
Elma. Vance Creek Park also attracts hundreds of swimmers and
picknickers during the summer months. Oaksridge Golf Course offers
an 18-hole golf course for the sports minded enthusiast.
Montesano
The county seat for Grays Harbor County, Montesano is one
of the oldest settlements in Grays Harbor County. Montesano,
which means "mountain of health," became the site of
the county seat in July, 1860. The area was originally settled
by I.L. Scammon and the city became incorporated in 1883.
One of the many attractions in Montesano is the Grays Harbor
County Courthouse. Built in 1911, the courthouse is home to uniquely
painted murals surrounding the courthouse walls. An earthquake
in July, 1999 caused some structural damage to the historic courthouse.
It was reopened in June, 2001.
Another attraction in the historic town is the Chehalis Valley
Museum, which is open on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to
4 p.m. year-round.
Montesano and the outlying Wynooche Valley is among the richest
agricultural areas in western Washington.
Noted as the birthplace of the nation's first registered tree
farm in 1941, Montesano also has its own city forest that is
home to abundant wildlife.
Lake Sylvia State Park draws hundreds of hikers, swimmers, and
campers each year. Friends Landing has also obtained national
recognition as the only ADA (handicap) accessible park in the
nation.
Montesano also hosts the "Festival of Lights" celebration
December 13-15 when the entire town is highlighted with white
and colored lights. The Festival of Lights is highlighted by
the Grand Parade held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Bus
Tours of decorated homes throughout the community. Other notable
events held in Montesano are the Festival of People on Saturday,
July 27, the Friends Landing Summer Jamboree in August, Grouse
Ridge Mountain Bike Race held at Lake Sylvia State Park in September.
Aberdeen
Samuel Benn came to Aberdeen in 1859 after he traded his Melbourn
property for his father-in-law's 160 acres on the west side of
the Wishkah River. Benn named his new town site Aberdeen, which
means "confluence of two rivers." The city became incorporated
in 1889.
Aberdeen began to prosper into a large community in the 1890s.
During this time, ships began lining the docks, hauling lumber
from this area to different ports around the world. Also during
this time, mills were in full production and the railroad also
became a vital asset to the community. During its heyday, Aberdeen
had a reputation of being one of the toughest towns this side
of Chicago.
Today, Aberdeen is home to several historic downtown buildings.
It is also the homeport for The Lady Washington, a replica of
the first 18th century American vessel to explore the Pacific
Northwest coast. The Lady Washington was launched in 1989 as
part of Washington's centennial celebration.
The Aberdeen Museum, located in the historic National Guard Armory,
offers a historic look back at old-time Aberdeen. The museum
is open during the summer, Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m., and during the winter, Saturday and Sunday, from noon
to 4 p.m.
Aberdeen is home to the annual Splash Festival held during the
Fourth of July at Morrison Riverfront Park.
Hoquiam
The name Hoquiam means "hungry for wood." This is
the name Indian settlers gave the river running into Grays Harbor.
Hoquiam was the original site of the Indian Village, but white
settlers were attracted to the area in the 1850s by abundant
game, shellfish, and giant trees.
Today, Hoquiam remains rich in history. Visitors can get a glimpse
of Hoquiam's past in tours of historical museums, murals, and
buildings. Among the many activities to discover in Hoquiam include
walking along the 8th Street Landing or Rayonier's Waterfront
Park, shopping at the Farmers' Market, touring the Arnold Polson
Museum or watching the migration of shorebirds at Bowerman Basin.
Hoquiam is home to a number of festivals including the Ethnic
Heritage Festival in March, Shorebird Migration Festival in April,
River Festival in July, Push Rods Festival in August, and Loggers
Playday in September.
Cosmopolis
Cosmopolis is the site for the first Indian treaty meeting
in this area in 1855. During this time, a conference was called
by Territorial Gov. Isaac Stevens to negotiate the treaty with
the Indians. The Indian people were represented by Chinook, Quinault,
Satsop, Chehalis, and Cowlitz tribes. It was not signed because
several of the Indian groups were unwilling to sell their burial
grounds and favored sites. They also refused to move to a reserve
at Quinault.
Cosmopolis means "City of the World," and was home
to the first brickyard in 1866. David Byles and Austin Young,
along with James and Henry Karr and Ed Campbell are credited
with founding Cosmopolis.
The first sawmill on Grays Harbor was established in Cosmopolis
in 1881. It became a company town because of the large Pope and
Talbot mill. It later became the Grays Harbor Mill Company from
1888 until 1892, which the name was changed to the Grays Harbor
Commercial Company. Today, Weyerhaeuser Co. stands on this site.
Today, visitors can find many historic remnants of Cosmopolis'
colorful past. A mural at the foot of "H" Street depicts
the 1855 conference between Gov. Stevens and the Indians. The
Cooney Mansion Bed & Breakfast is on the national historic
register and was built at the turn of the century by Neil Cooney,
manager of the largest sawmill at the time.
Among the annual events held at Cosmopolis are the World City
Parade and Festival in the Park in September.
Westport
The first city to be incorporated in Chehalis County (now
Grays Harbor County) was Chehalis City in 1861. Chehalis City
had to give up its name when a larger town in Lewis County requested
it. So the small town became known as Patterson's Point, but
it was later changed to Westport.
Westport was a town with many firsts. It was the site of the
first discovery of gold in 1859, the first church service (1859),
the first white child born (1859), and the first schoolhouse
(1859).
Today, Westport is noted for the largest marina on the Washington
coast as well as an aquarium and maritime museum. Visitors can
enjoy whale watching, deep-sea fishing, crabbing off the docks,
walking the scenic Maritime History Trail or a variety of beach
recreational activities. Go-karts, bumper boats, the aquarium
and arcade provide great enjoyment for the entire family.
Among the annual festivals held at Westport are: the International
Chainsaw Carving Contest in July, Fourth of July Celebration,
Blessing of the Fleet in May and Westport Art Festival in August,
and Annual Seafood Festival and Craft Show in September.
Amanda Park & Quinault
Centered in the midst of the Quinault Rain Forest off Hwy.
101, are the communities of Amanda Park and Quinault. The Quinault
area offers a variety of outdoor activities, from exploring an
old growth rainforest to boating and fishing.
The glacier carved Lake Quinault, set in the only temperate rain
forest in North America, offers abundant wildlife and nature
trails. Guided tours are available by the U.S. Forest Service
in cooperation with the historic Lake Quinault Lodge.
Ocean Shores
Ocean Shores is a year-round resort community with 6 miles
of wild sandy beaches. It is located 23 miles northwest of Aberdeen
on a peninsula at the north entrance of Grays Harbor.
Activities abound at Ocean Shores. They include: fishing, boating,
beach walking, kite flying, horseback riding, sand sculpting,
bird watching, bicycling, and gambling at the newly completed
Quinault Casino, located between Ocean Shores and Hogan's Corner.
For the serious and less experienced golfers, there is a PGA-rated
championship, 18-hole, golf course close to the center of town.
For the kids, there are several amusement centers around town,
offering a variety of activities from go-karts to miniature golf.
Razor clam digging is also a popular activity during limited
times of the year. Licenses are required and limits can only
be taken in season.
Ocean Shores is home to many festivals which include Sun and
Surf Run in July, Arts and Crafts Show in Sept. Dixieland Jazz
Festival in November, and more. |
