Bygone times made from lumber

Logging and shipping are a big part of the history of Washington State. Much of the state is woodland with a large Pacific coast and many rivers. This history has influenced the past and the present of the small town of Hoquiam.

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.

James Karr was the first Caucasian resident of the area. Soon after that, Ed Campbell moved to the settlement village, becoming the first postmaster of Hoquiam. His house still exists in town as the oldest home in the area. Other people soon joined them, and by 1890, the town had over 1300 people as residents.

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.

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, like the rest of the country, experienced ups and downs in the economy. As a one-industry town, Hoquiam was hurt by the downturn of the Great Depression and the labor strikes of the following years. By the last two decades of the Twentieth Century, logging was no longer a booming business, especially in Grays Harbor. Logging’s effect on the environment and animals’ habitats caused the government to pass laws restricting logging, thus causing layoffs and fewer 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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