Hoquiam: A Developing Community Rich in History
A city in Grays Harbor County, Washington State, United States, Hoquiam, means “hungry for wood”. This name was coined by Indian settlers for the river running into Grays Harbor. It was the first site of the Indian village. However, white settlers got immersed in the area in the 1850s due to abundance of game, shellfish, and giant trees. The city was integrated on the twenty first of May, 1890.
Based on the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 15.6 square miles. 9.2 of the total square miles are comprised of land while the remaining 6.4 square miles is composed of water. The city has an oceanic climate. The longitude of Hoquiam is 123.888W while the latitude is 46.981N. It is located in the Pacific Standard time zone with an elevation of 20 feet.
Based on the 2000 Census Data of the city, 4,425 males and 4,672 females comprise the total population of 9,097. The city has a relatively young population wherein 22.6% of the total population are 15 years old and below. As per ethnicity and race, the whites lead the population, then by Hispanics, American Indian and Alaskan natives, multicultural races, Asians, African Americans, and by Native Hawaiians.
The city is rich in terms of history. Tourists and guests alike may have a feel of the past with the tours of historical museums, dramatic murals, and preserved buildings. Activities such as walking along the 8th Street Landing or Rayonier’s Waterfront Park, touring of the Arnold Polson Museum, Farmer’s Market shopping, or viewing of migration of shorebirds at Bowerman Basin may be included in the itinerary of any visitor. Tourists and locals may swing by the Griffits-Priday Ocean State Park as well as the Ocean City State Park. With these attractions to behold, one would definitely be entertained and amused.
The city is also home to the number of festivals as the Ethnic Heritage Festival during March, Shorebird Migration Festival during April, River Festival in July, Grays Harbor Bluegrass Festival and Push Rods Festival both in August, and Loggers Playday and Harbor Heritage Festival during the month of September.
In March 2009, because of its noteworthy dedication to community forestry, the city was awarded as a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation. It is an answer to the call of the foundation in terms of tree care ordinance, presence of a tree board or a department, a comprehensive community forestry program, and observance and proclamation of Arbor Day in the city. This award celebrates the city’s cleanliness and safeness for its dwellers and residents alike.
The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) awarded the city due to its constant innovation and massive development. Changes in its neighbourhoods, lifestyle of residents, and pedestrian walks garnered an award besting more than 50 entries. This has helped in the improvement of the life.
From its modest beginnings, the Indian settlement has evolved into a developing city.
Learn more about Wade Entezar and the metropolitan of Hoquiam and how it recognizes the past how it got here.