Forks Washington on the Olympic Peninsula

An exciting local history project is being spearheaded by West End community leaders Bill and Kitty Sperry. The goal is to establish a kiosk with interpretive information commemorating the bicentennial of the shipwreck of the Sv. Nikolai. The Russian vessel Nikolai perished on Rialto Beach (just north of LaPush, near Ellen Creek) in 1808. Our North Olympic Peninsula coast is well known for the many shipwrecks that have occured along its rugged shoreline. The Nikolai's story is fascinating on a variety of levels, including the fact that it ties in seven separate nations:  Russia, Alutiiq, Makah, Quileute, Hoh, Hawaii and America. Learn more about it--including how you can participate in the project--at the Nikolai Shipwreck website.

The Olympic Peninsula Community Museum never ceases to amaze us. This colorful photograph of beautiful fall foliage in the Olympics, which is part of the Olympic National Park Flora collection, is just one small example of what you’ll find there. The online museum is organized into fascinating exhibits — each representing a different aspect of our richly diverse West End culture and history. While there are just too many worthwhile exhibits to mention, we particularly enjoyed learning more about the Mountaineers’ 1920 Outing to Mt. Olympus (what hardcores!); Fannie Taylor, Postmistress of Mora; and the Great Forks Fire of 1951. The archived images of Hoh Tribe Baskets and Artifacts also caught our eye. And that’s barely scratching the surface of what’s available at this interesting resource!