A Look Back … This week in the Forks Forum

Published 1:30 am Thursday, June 11, 2026

This week, twenty-five years ago, the 4th annual Festival for Women was being planned. The FHS ASB had presented South North Gardens (Lilly Lau) with the Spartan Business of the Month Award. Presenters were Raymond Dickinson, Chris Barnes, and Alex Echeita (photo). Pampurred Pet Care was sponsoring a basic dog training class. There were lots of graduation photos from Forks, Clallam Bay, and Neah Bay (photo).

This week in 1976, Boy Scout Troop 467 had painted fire hydrants; Kelly, Randy, Luke, Mark, Mike, and Ray (photo). The 30th anniversary of the Forks Memorial Library had been celebrated with a tea. Gail and Phillip Sharpe had welcomed a baby girl, Nicki Jean. ITT Rayonier had held an annual spring clean-up day at Tumbling Rapids, and the campground was ready and open to the public for the summer season. In advertising, Baker’s IGA had Nestlé Quick on special for $1.79.

In 1969, the city’s new 750,000-gallon water tank was ready and being checked for leaks. Motorcycle scrambles were on the list of events for the 4th of July. A permit had been issued and was not sitting well with some Forks residents for a motorcycle group (gang) of 250 riders to use Tillicum Park. There was a call to citizens to attend the next council meeting. In advertising …Bob’s Texaco was going to be open 24 hours for the summer.

In 1954, it was reported that 1,000 people had attended the grand opening of the Variety Store. Plans for the new city park were moving forward with the purchase of four acres from Bill Converse, and negotiations were ongoing with Milwaukee Land Company for other acreage. Kidd’s Furniture and Appliance was opening a new store in the Sandar building on Sol Duc Way. Fred Cline had left town recently to complete a barber’s course in Bellingham.

In 1940, the local Sheriff was threatening steep punishment for anyone shooting out the glass insulators of the Port Angeles Western Telegraph Co. A recent incident had almost caused a train wreck when an incoming train could not communicate due to the broken insulators. The Shingle Weavers Union members were meeting at the IOOF Hall.

In 1939, at the Forks Chamber of Commerce meeting, R. O. Wahlgren had suggested that, for a tourist attraction, a mammoth log should be placed at Jake Hahn’s Triangle lot. William Wentworth and Miss Bernadette McCleary had been married.