A Look Back …This week in the Forks forum

Published 1:30 am Thursday, August 13, 2026

This week in 2001, it was reported local Ranger Jon Preston was one of 12 people planning to retrace the footsteps of the 1899-1900 Press Expedition over the Olympics. Preston was keeping a journal to share the experience with Forks Forum readers after (photo). Tinker’s Tales and Antiques had won the Clallam County Fair window contest. Eleven year old Caitlin Tuttle and her cat Cleo were getting ready the the County Fair (photo). In the Forks weather column, the rainfall total was almost 15” below our normal rainfall.

This week in 1976, the Town Council was discussing the need for a Planning Commission. Just a few hours after the completion of the resurfacing project on the Mora Road, vandals “squirreled around” on it totally ruining many sections of the road. Josie Fryberg/assistant bookkeeper was featured in a Forks State Bank ad (photo). In the classified’s Help Wanted ad the following workers were needed – chokersetter, yarder engineer, slackline hooker, bolt cutters, mechanic, waitress and cocktail waitress.

In 1969, the Hutt boys were featured in a photo holding up a huge fish that their dad had caught (photo).

In 1954 it was reported that Pat Blevins had married James Mansfield in Olympia. Town Marshal Leppell was asking parents … “Do you know where your children are?” After youngsters caused damage to equipment at Campbell’s gravel pit. The Forks Junior Chamber of Commerce was taking it upon themselves to paint parking stripes and crosswalks downtown. The Town Council had approved teen dancing at Emily’s Fountain and Lunch only to find out Federal Regulations prohibited it!

In 1940, it was front page news that the M. R. Smith Company Mill had construction well underway at Lake Pleasant. Need a car? In display advertising Warner’s Garage had a 1929 Model A for $50 and a 1936 Ford V8 Tudor for $395. It was reported that Governor Martin had granted additional funds to help complete the new Forks grade school.

In 1939, it was sad news that a Seattle man had drowned at La Push after being caught in a rip tide. La Push resident Johnnie Jackson was one of three people who bravely swam into the surf and attempted to save him. The man was vacationing with his wife and their two children, ages seven, and 18 months. In court news “Big Fred” Wie and Emil “Humptulips” Renz had gone before Judge Taylor for charges of disorderly conduct and fighting.