History Ocean Shores, Washington

digging razor clams on beach

the city of ocean shores occupies point brown peninsula on washington coast. long before arrival of european explorers , settlers, peninsula used various local tribes trading , other purposes. chinook, chehalis, , quinault tribes used area, others make quinault indian nation.

on may 7, 1792 captain robert gray sailed bay , named area bullfinch harbor. later, captain george vancouver renamed area after captain gray, called gray s harbor. first white established settler on point matthew mcgee, settled in 1860s. sold southern portion of peninsula a.o. damon in 1878 trading supply center dock extended oyehut channel. a.o. damon took on entire peninsula mcgee land passed along grandson, ralph minard, used area cattle ranch 1929 until sold ocean shores development corporation in 1960 $1,000,000.

at time washington state legislature considering legalizing forms of gambling. in expectation of huge casino development, ocean shores development corporation opened sale of lots in travel trailer parked in dunes. word spread california-style development of place called ocean shores. price of lots began @ $595 , sold sight unseen first plat maps. numbers of lots sold rose, prices rose. property lots staked , numbered road construction crews began lay out massive road system. though first roads 20 miles (32 km) in length, downtown area had mercury vapor lights show booming city. in first year 25 homes constructed , owners had charter membership certificates in ocean shores community club.

as development grew, ginny simms restaurant , nightclub brought in hollywood set. in fact, on grand opening night chartered planes flew whole contingent of hollywood stars, , 11,000 people turned out @ bowerman basin see celebrities.

by december, 1960, 25 miles (40 km) of canals planned, six-hole golf course drawing players, , mall shopping area ready 1961 ocean shores estates construction boom. mall, 100 motel units, 3 restaurants , airstrip sprang sandy ground marina opening in 1963. ss catala brought california become boatel , charter fleet office. 2 years later southwest winter storm drove sand , many years famous shipwreck on washington coast. in 1966 famous gates city installed.

pat boone became local resident in 1967 stockholder in ocean shores estates incorporated , promotion of development sped along famous celebrity golf tournaments hosted boone.

by 1969 ocean shores declared richest little city assessed valuation of $35 million , 900 permanent residents. following year city incorporated planning commission formed zone city , codify streets. city s first school opened in 1971 , road paving on streets began in earnest.

during 1970s, town struggled through many setbacks brought on state s economic recession. 1980s, slump on , construction of homes , businesses increased.