At Pacific County Historical Society

It had been a good many years (at least twelve) since I had been on an all-day field trip on a bus and a good many more (probably fifty) since I had not been the one in charge and could just go along for the ride.  Even with all those intervening years, I still felt that glow of satisfaction at day’s end yesterday when our bus rolled back into Ilwaco.  My mind was full of new stuff and never mind that my old bones were protesting a bit from a day of unaccustomed jostling.

The Community Historians had spent the day in “north county” or at least in parts of north county.  We had gone to the courthouse at the county seat in South Bend, the Pacific County Historical Society’s headquarters, also in South Bend, and to the Chinook Tribal Office in Bay Center.  The day’s purpose was to acquaint our group with the many and varied resources available to us for research purposes.

Under the Courthouse Dome

Like every memorable field trip, there were a few glitches along the way – beginning with a missing “tour guide” on the bus.  Jim Sayce had volunteered to provide a running commentary along our route but he was unexpectedly called away, so the microphone was passed around for some of the rest of us to provide whatever commentary we could.  Later, at the Pacific County Historical Society’s museum, we again had to “make do” as Steve Rogers, the organization’s president, was also unavoidably detained and could not give us an overview of the resources there.  Still, we poked around a bit and enjoyed the new exhibits,

Judge Sullivan demonstrates 1910 Window Design

The trip’s high point was the time spent at the courthouse.  In each department – Public Works, Assessor, Auditor, and the Superior Court – we were treated like visiting royalty.  We were shown how to access primary resources from early survey and plat maps to deeds and marriage certificates – speaking of which I took a look at mine and was reminded that it had been mistakenly filled in so that my middle name is forever recorded on it as “Dedora” rather than “Medora.”  (But mostly, it tugged at my heartstrings to see Gordon Schoewe’s signature as my ‘bridesmaide’ and Roy Gustafson’s as Nyel’s ‘best man.)

In the Auditor’s Vault

And, if all of that weren’t enough, after explaining how the intricacies and architecture of the courtroom and his chambers, Judge Sullivan offered individualized tours up into the courthouse attic for anyone who might be interested at a later date!  (I was up there years ago with Larry Weathers and seeing the dome at eye level is surely one of the wonders of Pacific County!)

Chinook Tribal Office, Bay Center

Our stop at the Tribal Office in Bay Center was all too short.  Everywhere I looked was another ‘treasure’ from baskets to photographs, as well as an intriguing bookcase full of resource books.  On display in the adjacent county park are two large canoes made using some contemporary materials but authentic in shape and design.  Gorgeous!

As I headed home last evening, I reviewed the day and realized that the best part of all was the friendliness and helpfulness of all the people we met.  And, underlying that, was their pride in Pacific County – its history and their part in its stewardship.  We really are so very fortunate to live here!