A Look Back …This week in the Forks Forum

Published 1:30 am Thursday, May 21, 2026

This week in 2001, it was reported that DSHS was looking at Forks cutbacks, and case maintenance was moving to Port Angeles. Remodeling was underway at Forks City Hall with two offices being added. The “old stump” was removed from the Thriftway parking lot. Cheryl Moody had won the Logger Memorial Quilt drawing. Ex-Seattle Mariner Lennie Randle was holding a baseball clinic at Fred Orr Fields.

Fifty years ago, it was reported that 17-year-old Carol Hanify had hit a cougar near Snider Road. Her ‘66 Plymouth was towed from the scene by West End Motors, and the deceased cougar was turned over to the game department. Carol was not injured. Phyliss Queen’s entry into the Far West Art League’s spring show had won best in show. Peninsula Telephone was holding an open house to show off their $2,000,000 worth of new equipment. A Birdwell Ford ad featured their four mechanics (photo). Jessie Brager and Lynn Klahn were featured in a photo outside the Vagabond for a Forks Forum contest. Lynn was working as a waitress at the Vagabond.

1969 back next week.

This week in 1954, a fire believed to have been started by a fisherman near the Hoh River was being dealt with by crews from the Tyee fire station. So far, they had kept it to 10 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Jess Maxfield had visited friends in Forks. Jess was attending WWC of Education in Bellingham.

In 1940, the sheriff was warning drivers that they would be arrested and fined if caught throwing bottles out along the highway.

In 1939, a huge effort and money were going into billboards, radio, and newspaper advertisements to draw tourists to the Olympic Peninsula. The effort was sponsored by the Olympic Peninsula Resort and Hotel Association and fully supported by West End businesses.

Going WAY back – This week in 1902, in a short-lived publication called The Quillayute News, it was reported that J.S. Anderson was building a new barn (near the Fern Hill Rd. area). A contract for a new bridge across the “Calawa” was to be let soon. Dan Wilson was starting up a shingle mill. J. S. Maxfield had traveled to Clallam to bring in supplies. County Commissioners had authorized an 8-foot “Pony” trail to be built south to the Bogachiel country.