A Look Back …This week in the Forks Forum

Published 1:30 am Thursday, July 16, 2026

This week in 2001, the Makah Tribe had received word that the gray whale population was healthy and their hunting activity could continue. Members of the Barber family had recreated the Flintstone family for the Fun Days parade (photo).

Fifty years ago this week, the Olympic Theater was offering special extra showtimes for the film In Search of Noah’s Ark. The Town Council was considering the annexation of Thomas Third Addition. A short story about Aggie Claussen was featured as she was the weekly Who’s Who contest clue (photo).

This week in 1969, it was front-page news that the Assistant Forks Marshal had been arrested on multiple charges. It was reported that the 4th of July Tourists of the Day had been from Denver. The family had seen young Tim Rasmussen in an upper body cast, after recent surgery at Children’s Orthopedic, and had given him one of their gifts …a $25 Forks State Bank Savings Bond. Town Council heard a proposal for construction of a bowl-type arena at Tillicum Park, making for a safer demo-derby. The Forks Motel had added a new heated swimming pool. Gordon Otos had presented Pre-School PTA officers Mary, Willena, and Katy with a check for $155 for their participation in providing concessions at the park during the 4th (photo).

In 1954, timber salvage in the Forks Burn area had yielded 340,877,000 board feet. A balance of 165,423,000 was still left to harvest. The fire in 1951 had burned 35,000 acres. The Forest Service reported reseeding activity was underway. Forks student John Richmond had attended Boys’ State in Ellensburg. Mr. and Mrs Sarnowski had received a letter from their son Howard, who was an airman stationed in England.

This week in 1940, a follow-up story about the body found in Lake Crescent appeared on the front page. It was reported that authorities were still attempting to identify the woman, and her clothing and other clues had been sent to the FBI. In classified ads, Hatfields was selling 25 lb and 50 lb blocks of ice.

In 1939, talk of a bridge across the Hood Canal was reported in a front-page article.