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.
Around that time, logging became the primary industry for Grays Harbor. From the 1880's until the 1930's, the Northwestern Lumber Company thrived, providing jobs and a supporting economy to the area. The lumber industry was responsible for eventually bringing a railroad to the town, and therefore more settlers and investors. The Northwestern Lumber Company maintained a virtual monopoly on the lumber business until the Twentieth Century.
The past century and a half has seen hundreds of logging businesses work the local forests. The Polson Logging Company had the greatest impact on the town. Currently, the Polson Museum, operating in the old Polson mansion, teaches visitors about the history of the local logging industry. Exhibits and photographs show the lifestyle of past loggers. The museum has almost 10,000 artifacts concerning local history and the logging industry in the area.
As the rest of the country experienced tough times throughout the Twentieth century, so did Grays Harbor. As a one-industry town, Hoquiam was hurt by the Great Depression and the labor strikes over the years. By the end of the Twentieth Century, logging was on the decline, especially in Grays Harbor. The government placed restrictions on the business due to environmental concerns, therefore causing companies to close and people to be laid off.
However, the locals have shown great spirit in fighting to stay in business. The town is home to many tourist attractions such as the Logger's Playday, the Shorebird Festival, and the Hoquiam Riverfest. These events celebrate the past while serving the future. By bringing visitors to the town, the festivals fuel money and investment into the economy. The town has worked to restore sites of historical significance and to become a resource for historical research.
Today, the community of Hoquiam, WA thrives and continues to work to build a better future. The residents display pride in their history as well as in their current achievements. They constantly strive to bring new businesses and events into the area, and to rebuild what has fallen into memory. Logging is no longer Grays Harbor's only industry. The area has found the greatest resource in its people.
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.
Around that time, logging became the primary industry for Grays Harbor. From the 1880's until the 1930's, the Northwestern Lumber Company thrived, providing jobs and a supporting economy to the area. The lumber industry was responsible for eventually bringing a railroad to the town, and therefore more settlers and investors. The Northwestern Lumber Company maintained a virtual monopoly on the lumber business until the Twentieth Century.
The past century and a half has seen hundreds of logging businesses work the local forests. The Polson Logging Company had the greatest impact on the town. Currently, the Polson Museum, operating in the old Polson mansion, teaches visitors about the history of the local logging industry. Exhibits and photographs show the lifestyle of past loggers. The museum has almost 10,000 artifacts concerning local history and the logging industry in the area.
As the rest of the country experienced tough times throughout the Twentieth century, so did Grays Harbor. As a one-industry town, Hoquiam was hurt by the Great Depression and the labor strikes over the years. By the end of the Twentieth Century, logging was on the decline, especially in Grays Harbor. The government placed restrictions on the business due to environmental concerns, therefore causing companies to close and people to be laid off.
However, the locals have shown great spirit in fighting to stay in business. The town is home to many tourist attractions such as the Logger's Playday, the Shorebird Festival, and the Hoquiam Riverfest. These events celebrate the past while serving the future. By bringing visitors to the town, the festivals fuel money and investment into the economy. The town has worked to restore sites of historical significance and to become a resource for historical research.
Today, the community of Hoquiam, WA thrives and continues to work to build a better future. The residents display pride in their history as well as in their current achievements. They constantly strive to bring new businesses and events into the area, and to rebuild what has fallen into memory. Logging is no longer Grays Harbor's only industry. The area has found the greatest resource in its people.
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