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Page A-10 Shelton-Mason County Journal Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020
HISTORYATA GLANCE
The town ofPotlatch
rIII‘he town of Potlatch was
born in 1900, when Sol
Simpson and A. H. An-
derson incorporated the Phoe-
nix Logging Co., to build a rail-
road and log the prime timber
in the hills above Hoodsport.
The company purchased land
along the waterfront near the
old Indian Potlatch Grounds,
where gift—giving ceremonies
had been held until at least
the 1860s, and built a company
town.
In 1901, a supplement to the Ma-
son County Journal, extolling the at-
tractions of Mason County, wrote of
Potlatch:
“Potlatch is a new town in every
respect, and was located about one
year ago. It is the creature of the
Phoenix Logging Company, as here
all the logs brought to salt water by
this large institution are made into
rafts and here are the headquarters
for the company’s offices, the Phoenix
Hotel, L. K. Munson’s‘ store, a livery
barn, wharf and warehouse, black-
smith shop, engine house, and several
other buildings. Mr. Anderson has a
neat cottage in an unfinished stage.
Water is piped into all the houses.
“About 4 1/2 miles of railroad are
now in operation, and the roadbed is
first-class, sawed ties and planked
the entire distance. The grade to sur-
By JAN
PARKER
mount the hill is very steep,
being as much as nine per
cent at the worst pitch. It
is a little disconcerting to a
‘chechaco’ (Chinook jargon
word meaning a newcomer
or greenhorn) to whisk up
the hill on the big Baldwin
and looking back down the
vista of st’eep track to recall
and regret the mean things
of the past. It would be im-
practical to haul more than
one or two loaded cars either up or
down such a grade, but under the sys-
tem used, hauling of logs is done ex-
peditiously and in comparative safety.
“A turn of 18 or more logs well
dogged together is trailed behind
the locomotive and snaked along to
the rollway four miles down the hill
in a jiffy, about 14 trips being made
every day. When the bay is reached,
the dogs are removed and the logs
are pushed backward, a short piece
of steel rail sheering them into the
water. On the steep grades the logs
act as a check on the engine, and they
keep the track well on curves, al-
though a crooked stick will occasion-
ally ‘fly the track.’
“Although but newly organized, the
company has taken a place among the
leading industrial enterprises of Ma-
son County. President S. G. Simpson;
Vice President A. H. Anderson; Secre-
Potlatch from the wharf. The A.H. Anderson house is in foreground with
hotel behind it. Photo courtesy of Mason County Historical Museum
tary W.A. McDonald — all gentlemen
of high business abilities — are held
in high esteem and honored for the
efforts they have made to develop this
country’s industrial and commercial
importance.
“In the new and thriving town
of Potlatch we notice especially the
fine, large and well-conducted public
place of entertainment known as the .
Phoenix Hotel, of which Mr. John Mc-
Carty is the genial and accommodat-
ing host. This place opened March
14, 1901 and has capacity of accom-
modating over 60 people at night and
seating over a hundredpeople in its
immense dining room. Mr. McCarty
The Shelton-Mason County Journal
is seeking qualified applicants to contribute
stories and news reporting all around
Mason County
Do You Enjoy Writing?
Photography?
You’ll join a hard—working, award-winning news staff that is
consistently named among the best in Washington. You’ll be
among the best reporters, photographers and designers in the
state.
As a member of this vibrant Community, you know what a
wonderful 'area we live in and what a variety of events and
lifestyles we enjoy.
You could geteven more‘ involved and participate in bringing
news and stories to our thousands of readers each week.
We offer a variety of compensation options such as pay-.per-story,
regular hours, or salary for the right candidates.
To apply, please email your resume along with several examples
of your writing to: john@masoncounty.com
also runs a livery barn in connection
with the hotel and day or night one
will meet with a warm welcome at
this hostelry.”
Note: When Phoenix Logging Co.,
closed operations in August 1940, the
company houses were offered for sale
to the inhabitants. The railroad steel
was cut up, the Phoenix Hotel was
torn down and Potlatch’s commercial
buildings and equipment were sold.
I Jan Parker is a researcher for the
Mason County Historical Museum.
She can be reached at parkerj@hctc.
com. Membership in the Mason Coun-
ty Historical Society is per year.
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