The Red House in Oysterville where Kris spent many a happy summer!
Why was I not surprised? Interestingly (but not at all surprisingly), the only folks to weigh in on Saturday’s Daybook entry concerning the Shoalwater Bay Yacht Club were Kuzzin Kris and Cuzzin Ralph. Perhaps they, both being connected to the history of Oysterville through kinship and historical caring, are the only ones who really “got” my concerns.
Kris, bless her heart, expressed outrage: The Very Idea! Sheesh. I am so disappointed in the establishment that hacked together this slur on the original Oysterville Yacht Club! And she went on to suggest that the local paper publish something about this heresy and then said: other old time peninsulites will agree fully and completely. As I have often told her, she leads a rich fantasy life!!!
R.H. Espy, Co-founder of Oysterville and brother to Cuzzin Ralph’s ancestor, William “Kentuck” Espy
Ralph, on the other hand was rather matter-of-fact and forthright as usual: I just have to put in my two cents even though I’m a complete goddamn outsider to the local politics. This seems to be part of almost “gentrification” of the Long Beach Peninsula area. First there was the exclusive garden club, with outrageous prices for the tours that precluded many of the long established local people. Now this group of young whippersnapper outsiders trying to horn in on the traditions without giving proper credit to the past. I think it is just a gimmick to push their restaurant/bakery trade but the sailing part will fall flat on its ass!
I truly do love my relatives! And I do believe that blood is thicker than water. And it is also patently clear (to me at least) that the history of the area matters most to those with deep roots here.
Sad. But true.
Hi there,
I stumbled on your blog looking for more information on the Shoalwater Bay Yacht Club in question. I’ve been following along the history of the Taylor House and it’s previous uses and love reading your blog about the history of the peninsula as a whole! From my understanding the Shoalwater Bay Yacht Club is the parent company (a DBA of sorts) for multiple different establishments. Oysterville Sea Farms belongs to said “Shoalwater Bay Yacht Club” along with an upcoming project called Nahcotta Boat House? It’s uncertain if the SBYC will actually be a sailing club as there isn’t a marina/yacht club in sight. I did, however, I speak to a gentleman working at Oysterville Sea Farms earlier this month and he said the Taylor House will open soon (within few weeks) as a retail and cocktail bar. If I can offer my opinion on the matter: as a fairly new resident of Ocean Park and 32-year-old “married without kids” person, I am optimistic about the space being occupied by a local family/business and being put to use rather than sitting empty. I am also excited about another offering in the area that has been thoughtful about its constituency and the local needs. The bigger question will be what happens with the land upon which Colleen’s Coffee sits as I have seen it is up for sale and being offered up to developers.