Montesano, Washington

Medcalf Prairie

According to Edwin Van Syckle, a portion of the present day town of Montesano was first platted in 1870 by Samuel Henry Williams, who purchased land in what was known as Medcalf Prairie, named after the early settler William Medcalf. At about the same time, surveyor Charles Newton Byles also bought a farm from Walter King on the present day site of Montesano on 9 April 1870^[6] and later platted 3 blocks on the west side of Main Street.^[7] The town of Montesano was born even though it was not incorporated until 26 November 1883 by the Washington Territorial Legislature.^[8]

A lumber company's locomotive, Montesano, circa 1921.

South Montesano

Prior to that time, the name Montesano was used to refer to the homestead of Isaiah Lancaster Scammon and his wife Lorinda. They filed a 640 Donation Land Claim on 15 January 1853 on the Chehalis River, opposite the mouth of The Wynoochee River, in the area now referred to as South Montesano. The Scammon home was often referred to as Scammon’s Landing or Scammon’s Hotel because it was an important stopping point along the Chehalis River for early pioneers, and the furthest up-river mooring-point and railroad junction for seagoing ships.^[7]

According to Edmond S. Meany, in 1860 the county seat of what was then called Chehalis County was moved to "the place of J.L. Scammons". Mrs. Lorinda Scammon was very religious and wished to have the place named "Mount Zion". Another early settler, Samuel James, suggested "Montesano", which was derived from Spanish to mean "mountain of health"; it was said that as this had a more pleasant sound and meant about the same. The suggestion was approved and soon after, a post office was secured with the name Montesano.^[8] The people of Chehalis County voted to move the county seat to the platted town of Montesano in 1886 and the Scammon home was then known as South Montesano.^[8]

Recent

In 2012, Michael Thomas, an inmate at the county jail stabbed a judge and took a guards gun and shot them. It then triggered a manhunt and he was found days later.

Climate

This region experiences warm (but not hot) and relatively dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F, and very wet autumns and springs due to the maritime Chinook winds. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Montesano is in a region often warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.^[10] Precipitation figures instead indicate an oceanic climate due to frequent summer rainfall, even though there is a significant drying trend during that season. The summer highs are warmer than in Aberdeen courtesy of its inland position. This also renders frequent but most often minor frosts in winter, with the climate retaining a significant maritime influence.

2010 census

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 3,976 people, 1,563 households, and 1,031 families residing in the city. The population density was 381.9 inhabitants per square mile (147.5/km²). There were 1,684 housing units at an average density of 161.8 per square mile (62.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.3% White, 0.4% African American, 5% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.8% of the population.

Of the 1,563 households, 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.0% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.88 .

The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18–24; 25.1% were from 25–44; 28.4% were from 45–64; and 16.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,312 people, 1,326 households, and 879 families residing in the city. The population density was 320.4 people per square mile (123.7/km²). There were 1,408 housing units at an average density of 136.2 per square mile (52.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.99% White, 0.12% African American, 1.87% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 2.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.84% of the population.

Of the 1,326 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.92 .

In the city, the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18–24, 28.7% from 25–44, 23.6% from 45–64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,204, and the median income for a family was $42,344. Males had a median income of $41,500 versus $30,096 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,467. About 9.3% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those aged 65 or over.

County courthouse

Grays Harbor County Courthouse

A prominent feature of the town is the 1911 Grays Harbor County Courthouse. This is a three-story structure with a domed tower. The interior features murals of local history. Not to be missed is the dent in the front door made by the Sheriff as he fired at a fleeing felon. The motto "come on vacation and leave on probation" was coined for this Grays Harbor County city.

Lake Sylvia

Bordering along the northern edge of the town is Lake Sylvia State Park.

Southern Olympics

Wynooche Valley Road, the road north from Montesano which follows the course of the Wynoochee River, is the access way to the southern Olympic Mountains and the southern quarter of the Olympic National Park.

Festival of Lights

The annual Festival of Lights is a winter holiday event that has been celebrated for 22 years. The highlight of the weekend is the Grand Parade.

Festivities include tours of decorated historic homes, a lighting contest, arts and crafts show, a children's play zone, food vendors, the jingle bell jog, a scavenger hunt, storytelling, tours of the county courthouse and murals, and a pancake breakfast. Other activities include the Yule Log lighting, chowder feed, and caroling.