Monday, November 29, 2010

HOQUIAM'S PRIDE: THE GREEN FOREST

By Randall Greene


It cannot be denied that once you mentioned the City of Hoquiam, it will give you the idea about the fine woods that grew abundantly thus Hoquiam had been branded as the land of fine woods since time immemorial. These rich natural resources then became the major way of living in the community itself.

Real estate development took place anywhere which added to the profit specifically the Polsons. Indirectly, the town grew up to its own when men came pouring to the place to work in the logging camps thus the little town became a city. Hoquiam WA had developed its own name so the story goes through hard labor and perseverance of the proud people of Hoquiam WA.

The abundant forest of Hoquiam became the main source of livelihood for the people. This became their noble profession by giving quality services when it comes to woodworks. Many businessmen poured into this simple little town and established large number of saw mills and lumber concessions. Due to this, many men poured in to work to earn a living including their families.

The brothers Robert and Joseph Lytle were among the lumber magnates who had invested in Hoquiam in 1902 who later on became the world's largest cedar shingle manufacturing company. The following year became more profitable to the investors and the populace when another lumber concession surfaced namely the Grays Harbor Lumber Company and became the supplier of railroad projects of the Northern Railroad Company.

The Polson's Family was one among those who became more powerful in this venture. They have put up two (2) sawmills and one (1) shingle mill. In fact, they had built 2 grand mansions in the area one of which was preserved as the Polson museum and was made as National Registries Historical Place. The Polson's likewise had acquired 2o logging camps and construction camps, 100 miles of railroad and a vast series of valuable logging equipments than can produce 300 million feet of logs every year. Alex Polson then made Hoquiam his home since then. Soaring high in the lumber and logging business, they expanded further in real estate business.

In 1891, the lumber barons came into an agreement to merge their logging business between the Lytle Brothers and the Polson Brothers Logging Company. After twelve consecutive years, Merrill and Ring Corporation also affiliated with them making a one big powerful logging concession in the name of Polson Logging Company.

It was the ever powerful Polsons family who had huge control in the logging concession in Hoquiam and Grays Harbor region though about 300 small time operators still existed massively which is a clear indication of how rich and abundant are the forests in the Grays Harbor area.

The history of Hoquiam is indeed worth reading and very inspiring to those who have deep sentiments when it comes to their heritage and history. This place is certainly worth visiting, and exploring so that you can imbibe on the deep historical culture of the place.




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