Greg’s Drawing of the Oysterville Store

Strictly speaking, Oysterville is not a village, not a hamlet, not even a wide spot in the road.  Unlike a village, we have no municipal government of our own, and unlike most definitions of ‘hamlet,’ we are not part of a larger municipality.  Furthermore, we are off the beaten path, entirely – not really on any main road, so we can’t be considered a ‘wide spot.’

Of course, I’m talking about only the 80 acres that comprise the National Historic District of Oysterville – the central portion of what might most properly be called “a state of mind.”  If there is a ‘hub’ or ‘central area’ to Oysterville, it is here, even though there are people who live four or five miles distant who rightfully consider themselves Oystervillians.  In English hamlets or villages, those folks would be called “outliers.”

Over the last few months our full-time population – and by that I mean people who live here and who have no other home to go to – has swelled by three people.  I make that “other home” distinction because we have several residents who claim ‘full-time’ status for practical reasons: they get their mail here and Oysterville is their domicile of record.  Nevertheless, when push comes to shove, we aren’t always sure they are ‘in town.’

An additional three people may not seem much in the great scheme of things, but here it is huge.  We were down to eight.  Eight people who are here to enjoy every sunrise over the bay and every sunset on the ocean.  Eight people who are here through rainstorms and tidal floods, surveying the surroundings for damage on mornings-after.  Eight people to be counted on to celebrate our milestones and to be depended upon for assistance in an emergency.

Architectural Plans for the Wachsmuth Addition

Now, with Tucker and Carol in residence at daughter Lina’s across the street, and Greg ensconced in his house next to the Oysterville Store, our population has soared by more than a third. We are back up to our 2012 numbers.  Wahoo!

And, perhaps it’s that they are out and about more than their predecessors (or perhaps we are) but whatever the reason, our paths seem to cross almost daily.  We see them often enough to exchange pleasantries and for us to hear, first-hand, how their projects are coming along – Carol and Tucker’s house addition and Greg’s store renovation.

You wouldn’t think that three people would make such a difference. (And, it goes without saying, that these three are the absolute “right” people!)  But, apparently we’ve reached some magical critical mass and Oysterville is feeling like a community once again!  I repeat:  Wahoo!