Situated in western Washington State, Hoquiam is a small town rich in history and local flavor. The town's location close to large stretches of forest and the Pacific Ocean have shaped the past as well as the present. The history of the town reflects the history of logging and shipping.
Before white settlers arrived in the area, Native American tribes lived in what is now Grays Harbor County. The two main tribes in the county were the Chehalis and the Quinault. The descendants of the early Native Americans still live in the area, continuing their tribal traditions and communities to this day.
The first white resident to live in the area was a man named James Karr. Soon after he arrived, Ed Campbell moved to the town, becoming the first postmaster of Hoquiam. Today, his family's home still exists as the oldest home in town. After James Karr and Ed Campbell, many other people moved to the area, and by 1890 the town had a population of over 1300 people.
The early residents of Grays Harbor made a living primarily from logging. From the 1880's until the 1930's, the Northwestern Lumber Company did booming business, employing locals and supporting the economy of the area. Because of the lumber industry, a railroad was finally brought to the town, bringing with it more people and money. The Northwestern Lumber Company was the primary lumber business in town until the Twentieth Century.
Over the past one hundred and twenty years, about three hundred different logging companies have existed in Grays Harbor. The most important of these was the Polson Logging Company. Today, the Polson Museum, operating from the old Polson home, tells the story of the lumber industry in Hoquiam. Exhibits and photographs illustrate the lives of past logger. It holds almost 10,000 artifacts concerning the local history and the logging industry in the area.
Throughout the Twentieth Century, Grays Harbor's economy and society reflected the state of the rest of the country. As a one-industry town, Hoquiam felt greatly the impact of the Great Depression and the labor strikes of the times. By the last two decades of the Twentieth Century, logging was on the decline, especially in Grays Harbor. The industry's effect on the environment caused governmental restrictions on logging, thus causing unemployment and the closing of businesses.
However, the locals have found new ways to keep the town vital and busy. The town is home to many tourist draws, such as the Logger's Playday, the Shorebird Festival, and the Hoquiam Riverfest. These events teach people about the past and about nature. By bringing visitors to the town, the fairs bring business and money to the town. Many historical sites have been restored and provide education and entertainment.
The strength and humor of Hoquiam's community is evident in the town today. The residents display pride in their history as well as in their current achievements. They have worked to bring new businesses and events into the area, proving that lumber is not their greatest resource. That would be the local's ingenuity and passion for their home.
Before white settlers arrived in the area, Native American tribes lived in what is now Grays Harbor County. The two main tribes in the county were the Chehalis and the Quinault. The descendants of the early Native Americans still live in the area, continuing their tribal traditions and communities to this day.
The first white resident to live in the area was a man named James Karr. Soon after he arrived, Ed Campbell moved to the town, becoming the first postmaster of Hoquiam. Today, his family's home still exists as the oldest home in town. After James Karr and Ed Campbell, many other people moved to the area, and by 1890 the town had a population of over 1300 people.
The early residents of Grays Harbor made a living primarily from logging. From the 1880's until the 1930's, the Northwestern Lumber Company did booming business, employing locals and supporting the economy of the area. Because of the lumber industry, a railroad was finally brought to the town, bringing with it more people and money. The Northwestern Lumber Company was the primary lumber business in town until the Twentieth Century.
Over the past one hundred and twenty years, about three hundred different logging companies have existed in Grays Harbor. The most important of these was the Polson Logging Company. Today, the Polson Museum, operating from the old Polson home, tells the story of the lumber industry in Hoquiam. Exhibits and photographs illustrate the lives of past logger. It holds almost 10,000 artifacts concerning the local history and the logging industry in the area.
Throughout the Twentieth Century, Grays Harbor's economy and society reflected the state of the rest of the country. As a one-industry town, Hoquiam felt greatly the impact of the Great Depression and the labor strikes of the times. By the last two decades of the Twentieth Century, logging was on the decline, especially in Grays Harbor. The industry's effect on the environment caused governmental restrictions on logging, thus causing unemployment and the closing of businesses.
However, the locals have found new ways to keep the town vital and busy. The town is home to many tourist draws, such as the Logger's Playday, the Shorebird Festival, and the Hoquiam Riverfest. These events teach people about the past and about nature. By bringing visitors to the town, the fairs bring business and money to the town. Many historical sites have been restored and provide education and entertainment.
The strength and humor of Hoquiam's community is evident in the town today. The residents display pride in their history as well as in their current achievements. They have worked to bring new businesses and events into the area, proving that lumber is not their greatest resource. That would be the local's ingenuity and passion for their home.
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