1

Walking Tours of

Historic South Bend,

Washington

Pacific County Seat

and

Oyster Capital of the World

Courtesy of Pacific County

Historical Society

1008 Robert Bush Drive

South Bend, Washington 98586

Prepared by Aaron deMontigny in fulfillment of

his Eagle Scout Project

Troop 36

Boy Scouts of America - Pacific Harbors council

Coastal Waters District

December 2014

Source material includes the 1991 edition of “Self Directed Walking

Tours of Historic South Bend, Washington,” compiled by Linda Vermilye.

2 TOUR #1 – NOB HILL

The Tour is one mile in length, starting and finishing at the Pacific County Museum. It involves several relatively steep hills; so bring water and wear comfortable shoes. Nob Hill (“A” Street Hill) was named after Nob Hill in San Francisco by the Riddell brothers. They started a saw mill at South Bend in 1869 for processed lumber to be shipped to San Francisco. 1. Tour #1 begins and ends at the Pacific County Historical Society Museum and Visitor Center at 1008 Robert Bush Drive. The building, housing the Pacific County Museum, was built in 1935 originally as a grocery store. Visitors from around the world stop in to say hello and to obtain information on the area.

1. (Corner of First Street and Pacific Avenue) Built in

1913, the South Bend Carnegie Public Library was constructed with funds from

the industrialist and philanthropist, Andrew

Carnegie. The building is listed on the National

Register of Historic Places.

3. (Corner of Third Street and B) This home is a

fine example of construction tailored to

City lots that are narrow in one dimension and

long in another. Note the prominent bay window.

4. Constructed in the Rural Gothic theme, this house

was built in 1903. Note the fancy-worked braces at the top of spindly porch posts.

This feature is incorporated in many houses of this era

3

in South Bend. The woodwork near the peak of the roof was done in the 1990s.

5. (313 “B” Street) Built in 1908 by one of the mill owners, the Cartier family house displays Italianate design in its porch and French influence in the flared roof.

.

6. (312 “B” Street”} This modest house was built following the French Style in 1920.

.

7. (306 “B” Street) This house is known as the “Half House.” A

fire destroyed much of this once large home built in 1930.

Restoration has made it an interesting “cottage”.

At the bottom of “B” Street go left up the hill to “C” Street.

8 (Corner of First Street and

“C”) .Note the similarity of the architectural style of this home

to Stop 3 of this tour. .

4 Turn around and follow “C” Street up the hill towards the bay. In the “good old days” residents had an exquisite view of the river.

At the corner of “C” and Water make a right turn and follow Water to the end. There is a dirt road that meets Water – an undeveloped portion of “B” Street.

9. (North end of Water Street where it dead-ends into what would be “B” Street.) Stairs from Robert Bush Drive (Highway 101) used to climb the hillside to this gracious home built in 1900. The houses along the bluff overlook the Willapa River.

Make your way back to First Street and go back down the hill to Central. Make a left toward the river and you will find yourself back on Highway 101across the street from Coast Seafood Company,

10. Coast Seafood Company is one of the largest oyster companies in the world. Tours are available during the annual “Come and Play at Labor Day” city-wide celebration.

11. This site consists of Robert Bush Park and the City of South Bend Public Dock. Many of the city’s celebrations are centered

at the Park. Wooden statues depict our proud fishermen and oyster workers. There is also a wooden statue depicting Robert

Bush, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, for his valor as

a medical corpsman in World War II.

You are now across the street from your starting point at the

Pacific County Historical Society museum. Here ends Tour 1. TOUR #2 – QUALITY HILL

1. This tour also begins and ends at the Pacific County

Historical Society Museum. It traverses one of the larger hills

within the city of South Bend. Again, bring water and wear

comfortable shoes.

5 Also known as “Courthouse Hill”, this area was home of the “upper crust” families of South Bend. It later became known for the Pacific County Courthouse that is the outstanding feature on the hill.

Beginning at the museum, note the mural on the side of the building. This is based on an historical photograph from the 1910’s.

2. At Alder you will go right up the hill to First Street to see the Willapa Harbor Community Center. Built in 1911 as the Commercial Club, this building was completely renovated in 2007 and is used for many private as well as community events.

3. Continue up to 211 Alder for

a view of this Victorian home built in 1895. Note the round

turret and variety of window shapes.

4. Across the street at 226 Alder is this “Queen Anne” cottage built in 1896 is an

example of the shingle enhancement and porch

adornments of the period.

5. At 238 Alder this extensively remodeled, early 1900s home is

perched on the steep hillside and surrounded by rock walls.

Continue up the hill and past the Willapa Harbor Hospital. On

6 clear days, you can see the Olympic Mountains and Mt. Rainier from the vantage point at the top of the hill.

Continue up Alder through the lovely wooded area where it’s not unusual to have a family of deer cross your path. At the top of the hill to the right is Alder House, an assisted living facility. On your left is our Willapa Harbor hospital, a critical access hospital serving the Willapa Harbor area, with facilities and staff than are willing, able, and prepared to handle any emergency, natural or man- made, that should befall our region.

6. As you begin to descend, look down on the Pacific County Court House dome. We’ll see more of this spectacular building later in the tour. You are now on Cedar St.

7. At Second Street turn right and go up the hill to 519. This

Craftsman-style home was built in 1909 for one of the first

Pacific County Assessors, who made his fortune selling cigars to miners in Alaska during the

gold rush before settling in South Bend. In 1911, this home was one of the first in town to be

electrified.

8. This residence at 602 Second Street was at one time the Swedish Lutheran Church.

Before being reconfigured into a residence, this home had a bell

tower to announce church services.

7 9. Turn back to Cedar and you find yourself again looking onto the fish-filled ponds and a waterfall of the Court House grounds. The Pacific County Court House was built in 1910. A Tiffany-style glass dome dominates the interior of the rotunda. Guided tours are available during special community events. Everyone is welcome to look and ask questions during regular business hours on weekdays. This building is on the National Register of Historic Places. (The tour is well worth the time.)

10. Continuing down Cedar at the corner of Second and Cowlitz (618 Cowlitz) you will note this home with the steep pitch and distinctive curvature of the roof of this home, built after 1909.

11. Continuing down Cedar to First, at 604 First Street, you will

see his massive Gambrel Style house built in 1890.

12. Looking over the hill toward Highway 101 you will see the

Methodist Church. Since 1905 it has been an elegant center for

worship and fellowship.

13. Walking north toward Ferry and turning up the hill, thisThis 1892 house at 202 Ferry is an

example of a pioneer home modernization.

8

14. At the top of Ferry and just to the left this grand, early 1900s home overlooks much of the Willapa River and the surrounding hills.

15. Turning back, at the corner of Cowlitz and Ferry, this Episcopal Church (St John), built in 1914, is a prime example of the buildings built by this denomination throughout the State during this era. This church is no longer used for services.

16. Continue down Ferry to First

Street and turn left. At 7808, 714, and 716 First Street you

will see a comparison of contrasting architectural styles from the early 1900’s in South

Bend.

Below is 7 08 First St..

17. This is 714 First Street

9 18. And finally, 716 First Street.

Here ends tour 2.

Follow Memorial Street back to Highway 101 and turn left to go back to the Museum. Tour #3

ALTA VISTA translated is “high view”. This tour has a short, but steep hill which will take you to views of the Willapa River and South Bend along gentle rolling hill-top streets. This tour is a loop from the Pacific County Museum. If you are so inclined, continue to Eklund Park, Tour #4.

Starting at the museum, go North on Highway 101 along the elevated sidewalk. At the end of the walkway you will come to the “Opera House”.

1. South Bend’s Opera House, built in 1907, still stands although it is now unrecognizable as such. The portion seen now was the backstage portion of the former opera house. The brick wall remnants mark the original opera house exterior wall. At

one time, it was used as a Masonic Lodge.

2. Before its closure, the

Willapa Harbor Iron Works was one of the oldest businesses in

South Bend. The Iron Works seen here were built in 1890.

Note the distinctive weathervane.

3. A fascinating site across the street is the South Bend

Boat Shop, where fishing boats and oyster dredges are

“dry docked” for repair.

10 Continuing north on Highway 101, keep going straight as 101 curves. You will find yourself at the corner of Water and Adams.

4. Built in 1907, this Lutheran Church (known as “The green church with the red door”) was moved from another site to the present location. Note the intricate hand-shaped shingle work on the tower

5. On the opposite corner, to your left, is the First Baptist Church. This congregation celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 1990. Note the many stained glass windows.

6. Starting up the hill on Water Street, this Pioneer Classic Box

Style house was built in 1895.

7. Continuing up Water to Cowlitz (at the white fence) make a right and at the first

block on your left you will come to the Bodie House, a Queen Anne Style building, is where

the “Mystery Lady” of South Bend lived. It was built in 1892

for a railroad executive. This home is currently owned by a

local restauranteur who is restoring it to its former beauty.

11 8. Tt the top of Water Street is the Russell House, built in 1891. Until recently this well preserved specimen of Queen Anne architecture was a popular Bed and Breakfast destination. It remains another reminder of railroad-promised prosperity.

9. Directly across the street is this Georgian Revival Style house with an eyebrow dormer built in 1929.

10. Walking down the hill, Hangman’s Park is the site of the first Pacific County Court

House, built in 1893. The foundation of the vault is still

visible.

11. Now Harbor Realty, this building was originally the office of Kleeb Lumber Mill in the early

1900’s.

12. Jessie’s Ilwaco Fish Company (formerly East Point)

cannery and retail outlet displays beautiful Chinook

imagery.

12 13. Steam Donkey at Margaret Olson Park.

Tour #4

Park at the “Rails to Trails” trailhead and head up Summit Avenue to Eklund Park, which received its name from Louis N. Eklund, who platted the area for annexation to South Bend. To this day, Eklund Park is still outside the city limits.

1. Glimpses of the Willapa River “Narrows” are seen through the trees – where currents once tugged at the wooden sailing vessels as they continued up river to load lumber at Raymond.

21. Built in 1905, the Columbia Box Mill Company’s site is now long rows of pilings in the river

3. As you walk along the short streets of the hill, view several early 1900’s houses. The one

shown here (1156 Prospect) was a former Coast Watcher facility used in World War II.

If you are so inclined, walk the abandoned Northern Pacific

Railroad tracks, now part of the Washington State Parks Rails to

Trails system. The former railroad grade has a flat, paved

trail that reaches to Raymond (2.5 miles distant) and beyond.