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Celebrating a Month of Heritage * Sept. 21 – Oct. 19, 2024

Published 1:30 am Thursday, September 19, 2024

Hop House early 1900s- The first settlers to the Forks Prairie did not come for logging. Hops were one of the main crops. Merrill Whittier was one of the first white settlers/farmers and is seen here standing next to the dog near the center of photo. Also in the photo and sitting on the left bottom is John Sutherland, believed to be one of the first white settlers to see Lake Sutherland (named after him) and Lake Crescent. This structure once stood on the east side of main street near where the Forks Motel is today. Boyd Rupp Photo Hop House early 1900s- The first settlers to the Forks Prairie did not come for logging. Hops were one of the main crops. Merrill Whittier was one of the first white settlers/farmers and is seen here standing next to the dog near the center of photo. Also in the photo and sitting on the left bottom is John Sutherland, believed to be one of the first white settlers to see Lake Sutherland (named after him) and Lake Crescent. This structure once stood on the east side of main street near where the Forks Motel is today. Boyd Rupp Photo
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Hop House early 1900s- The first settlers to the Forks Prairie did not come for logging. Hops were one of the main crops. Merrill Whittier was one of the first white settlers/farmers and is seen here standing next to the dog near the center of photo. Also in the photo and sitting on the left bottom is John Sutherland, believed to be one of the first white settlers to see Lake Sutherland (named after him) and Lake Crescent. This structure once stood on the east side of main street near where the Forks Motel is today. Boyd Rupp Photo

Hop House early 1900s- The first settlers to the Forks Prairie did not come for logging. Hops were one of the main crops. Merrill Whittier was one of the first white settlers/farmers and is seen here standing next to the dog near the center of photo. Also in the photo and sitting on the left bottom is John Sutherland, believed to be one of the first white settlers to see Lake Sutherland (named after him) and Lake Crescent. This structure once stood on the east side of main street near where the Forks Motel is today. Boyd Rupp Photo

Hop House early 1900s- The first settlers to the Forks Prairie did not come for logging. Hops were one of the main crops. Merrill Whittier was one of the first white settlers/farmers and is seen here standing next to the dog near the center of photo. Also in the photo and sitting on the left bottom is John Sutherland, believed to be one of the first white settlers to see Lake Sutherland (named after him) and Lake Crescent. This structure once stood on the east side of main street near where the Forks Motel is today. Boyd Rupp Photo Hop House early 1900s- The first settlers to the Forks Prairie did not come for logging. Hops were one of the main crops. Merrill Whittier was one of the first white settlers/farmers and is seen here standing next to the dog near the center of photo. Also in the photo and sitting on the left bottom is John Sutherland, believed to be one of the first white settlers to see Lake Sutherland (named after him) and Lake Crescent. This structure once stood on the east side of main street near where the Forks Motel is today. Boyd Rupp Photo
Busy Day? Looking south on Forks’ main street around 1916. Structures that are still standing today seen in the photo are the Ackerly store nearest on the right …now the Sasquatch the Legend Store and further down the street the Palmer House now the Home Slice Take and Bake. Wheeler photo
Members of the Quileute Tribe perform at the Pioneer Picnic in 1924 on the upper Forks Prairie. Photo unknown
The village of La Push as seen in 1927. Photo Forks Forum Archives
Later came logging …and keeping with the frontier spirit Frontier Logging was one of the early companies …the fleet of loaded trucks as seen in 1958. Photo Ted Spoelstra Collection
Being isolated community dances were a popular activity here in the 1930s. The American Legion Band took time for a group photo at the Triangle lot near Sol Duc Way and across the main street from the Legion Hall. Photo Forks Forum Archives
Hop House

Since the mid-1980s the community has celebrated the Hickory Shirt with Hickory Shirt Days and all that encompassed. A number of years ago the celebration was expanded to include not just logging but also the early farmers and our many aspects of Heritage here on the west end. The Quileute and Hoh people were here when the white settlers arrived … later Hispanic and Asian groups came to our town to live and so …starting this weekend we will look to celebrate those who were here from the beginning …those who later came as pioneers and those who came even later in search of work and a better life.

The yearly celebration of Hickory Shirt Heritage Days kicks off Saturday, Sept. 21, in downtown Forks. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rainforest Arts Center, downtown at the stoplight, you can explore a gallery display of family heirlooms submitted by the community. Local spinners will demonstrate wool-working skills. You can try your hand at sock darning, mending and hand quilting.

This free, public family event is offered by Rainforest Council for the Arts and the Mendful Program (Ginger’s Closet and Disaster Relief).

At 6 p.m. join in for some old-time music by the Forkestra, hear from Pat Neal, Hoh Valley author and columnist, and join in for a good old sing-along with Roger Lien and Sally Milici.

Celebrate our community’s rich heritage and enjoy a day of history, arts, music and fun!

For more information or to submit an heirloom from your family’s collection contact Patsy Brown at Mendful@gingerscloset.org

Also on Saturday, Sept. 21, the annual Logger and Trucker Picnic will take place at the Kit’la Roundhouse at the La Push/101 Junction. All are welcome to come enjoy and share stories from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. A BBQ salmon bake lunch will be offered at 1 p.m. and the Forks Lions will host a beer garden.

On Saturday, Sept. 28 Hispanic heritage will be celebrated at the Dia’ De Culturas Festival at Peninsula College -Forks, from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Dancing and food will be enjoyed!

Activities will continue into October with the Fish N Brew, Senior Lunch, Homecoming, logging history movies at NOLS libraries, live music, Little Logger Contest, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, West End Historical Society program, Chamber to present Hickory Shirt throwback film – Hickory Shirt Days 1985 (and wear your Hickory Shirt day), COAST Film festival and West End Maritime Heritage Symposium. Each week details for each event will be shared here in the Forks Forum and on social media.

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