tribute to the Hood Canal State Bank legacy

BANKING ON OYSTERS IN HOODSPORT

February 15, 1975, saw the little town of Hoodsport open its very own locally chartered bank –the Hood Canal State Bank. Represented by a steam donkey on its logo, the bank saluted its logging heritage.

The interior was decorated with large photographic murals of early logging scenes and an architectural style described as “a combination of turn-of-the-century logging camp construction and modern convenience.” Adorning the front door and above the cutesy- paned glass windows a fiery bird rising from the ashes was painted – the sign for the Phoenix Camp No. 4.

PHOENIX LOGGING CO This logging enterprise was active in the Hoodsport area from the late 1890s until 1940 harvesting the massive first growth trees. Logging over difficult mountainous terrain, the engineers of the Phoenix Logging Company had to devise ingenious methods to transport their timber down to the log dump at Potlatch. To accommodate the steep grade of the railway, the locomotives would hitch exactly eighteen dogged logs– of an average 24” diameter–behind them to act as a dragging break (instead of loading it all onto a rattler car). This was quite a haul for an engine that ran with only steam brakes. As such, engineers would receive top pay for this risky work - $3.75 a day – the same as a faller. The main log dump was down at Potlatch, but in the early years the closest saloon was at Hoodsport. Logging had been an important draw to the area earlier than that though. Hoodsport was known as a good area for spar logs for ships and lumbering was the main industry of early European settlers.

The čtsa’ałlałt?b?’xw, a Twana speaking people, were the first harvesters of the forest resources in the area. They had magnificent dugout canoes of Western Red Cedar and large split cedar houses in their prosperous village of sla’l’ałlałt?b?’xw – which would one day be called Hoodsport. Ducks and sea resources were abundant here with rich clam beds and herring runs. This village was burned in the 1860s by the US Government when the čtsa’ałlałt?b?’xw were forced to live on the Skokomish Reservation. This opened the area to European resource extraction and settlers. EARLY SETTLEMENT OF HOODSPORT According to Dr. Harry Deegan (1971), the first European settler was Vincent Finch (of Finch Creek fame) sometime in the early 1860s – making this one of the earliest settlements on the Hood Canal. Other sources (Radtke 1975 and others) claim the first European settler was Captain G.K. Robbins who first came in 1875 (a hundred years before his grandson would help found a bank). He explored the area as a schooner captain but did not settle until 1880 when he was granted 200 three acres of land by the US Government for his military service in the Mexican War.

Phoenix Logging Co., Potlatch, ca. 1919

He opened a store and built a large house that would later become the Gateway Inn (located where the State Salmon Hatchery is now). Vincent Finch later married Ida Robbins, the Captain’s daughter –so either way you argue, their descendants were the first Europeans in the area.

GATEWAY TOWN Even in the 1880s, Hoodsport was a “gateway” for recreationists of the Lake Cushman area. Several lodges and boarding houses were in operation here (such as the Hoodsport Hotel, and later the Gateway Ranch, and Sund’s Villa Resort) and a coach ran a route to Lake Cushman where a ferry would meet travellers to take them across to Cushman House and later, at the end of the 18th century, to the famous Antlers Hotel.

The Antlers Hotel was a popular destination for dignitaries and society figures alike: President Teddy Roosevelt enjoyed fishing and got the local elk named after him and the poet Robert Service was in raptures when he composed “The Mountain and the Lake” during his stay. This glory was subsumed by the waters of Lake Cushman when it was dammed for the Tacoma Power project in 1926. The Phoenix Logging Company removed as much lumber as they could from that area before the flooding started – these stumps can still be seen in the summer when the waters of Lake Cushman are lower. Hunting for the sunken Antlers Hotel was the subject of Don Warter’s 2016 wreck diving documentary.

HOOD CANAL STATE BANK The original directors of the Hood Canal State Bank represented this diverse and changing economy of the region. Loggers, oystermen, Christmas tree farmers, hydroelectric foremen, real estate, and property development were the economies that felt a need for a local bank.

Founding director, Bart Robbins was a descendent of Captain G.K. Robbins and instrumental in the building of the family business now known as Hama Hama Oyster Co. located in Lilliwaup. Another founder is Bill Hunter of Hunter Farms fame. Hunter Farms is cherished for their Christmas trees, cut flowers, pumpkins, and farmer’s market located near Union. Floyd Hovey and Lowell Jarvis were also old Hood Canal names that ran logging and trucking business together and branched out into their own enterprises too. These are just a few local faces that nurtured this grass roots bank.

Hood Canal State Bank operated in the community until January 2022. Over the years it changed management several times: it was known as First Olympic Bank, Centennial Bank, West Coast Bank and then finally it became part of Columbia Bank. Now it’s getting a new lease on life as Tracing the Fjord is putting down roots in Hoodsport.

Hood Canal State Bank, opened in 1975 (photo: Mason County Journal); the orginal bank included a photo mural of Phoenix Logging oxen that was still present in the recent renovations. It was damaged beyond repair but crisp images of historical timber and oystering will hang in its place. Teller counters were replaced with hand milled cedar beams and the industrial carpet with plank flooring. The warm tones complement the stainless steel architecture of the safe. Outdoors, the Bank recently got a coat of Forest Service green paint (below) and a load of crushed oyster shells from Hama Hama to illuminate the walkways.

A NEW ERA FOR THE BANK Over the next few months the Hansen family will be transforming the bank and look forward to welcoming the community through its doors once more. Embracing the "bank" tradition the new business will be called – The Fjord Oyster Bank.

Anticipate new landscaping, cedar trim & shake, red geraniums and hanging baskets, outdoor and indoor seating, drive thru, and a vault full of local gifts and books.

Whether it be sharing a great hike, the latest Fjord, coffee, dessert, Xinh's chowder or a freshly shucked oysters – you are sure to cash in on good times at the Oyster Bank.

Summer Events at Lake Limerick Golf Course

Lake Limerick golf course is open to the public and the best value in town. Volunteers and operators continue to make improvement to the course every year. Lake Limerick is located near Shelton.

The Pro Shop Café is open to the public, and golfers, for breakfast from 7:30 AM and lunch, until 3PM, Wednesday - Sunday. The Pro Shop is stocked with merchandise and logo apparel. Golf club grips and re-grips are also available.

Looking for something fun to do this summer? Sharpen your golf skills with Men’s and Women’s leagues open to everyone with an active GHIN. Monday and Thursday head to Lake Limerick for Men’s 9 hole, Tuesday and Sunday for 18 holes. Women play Monday and Wednesday for 9 or 18 holes and Friday for 9 holes.

The course also offers some exciting summer events. Friday, July 29, 9:30 AM Shotgun, join in on the Fundraising Golf Tournament. The annual tournament benefits the course improvements and is open to everyone. Private tournaments can be booked as well.

Lake Limerick extends gratitude to local business sponsors, Brenda Bakken Real Estate and Haigh Veterinary Hospital, for supporting the Wine and Golf lessons. The program is offered for ten weeks during the summer. Lessons are offered to men and women ($15/lesson) and youth ($5/lesson).

For more information on events, dining or lessons, contact Lake Limerick at (360) 426-6290 or visit lakelimerick.com. July 15-17 | Allyn, WA The Allyn Community Association presents Allyn Days

Salmon bake & geoduck Festival

FRIDAY, JULY 15 5 – 9PM OPen Mic HOSTED BY THE WEDNESDAYS BENT BINE BREWERY BEER GARDEN HOT DOGS & BURGERS

SUNDAY JULY 17 12/2:30PM shuck off AMATEUR OYSTER SHUCKING COMPETITION HOSTED BY TAYLOR SHELLFISH EXPLORE HOOD CANAL TRACING THE FJORD SATURDAYJULY 16 11 AM – 8PM salmon dinner (UNTIL SOLD OUT) HOSTED BY THE ACA LIVE MUSIC | VENDORS | FOOD SUN, JULY 17 1:30 PM mud run HOSTED BY THE ACA

SUNDAY, JULY 17 4:30/6:30 PM cornhole CHAMPIONSHIP HOSTED BY BENT BINE BREWERY

all weekend

VENDORS | FOOD BEER GARDEN | BOUNCE HOUSE PETTING ZOO | KIDDIE TRAIN | MARINE DISPLAYS CENTRAL MASON FIRE TRUCK LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES