A Timber Heritage Monument

A Community Project to Celebrate Our Timber Legacy

Port Angeles and Clallam County were built on timber. For generations, towering forests fueled the local economy, shaping not just our landscape, but our communities, our families, and our way of life. At its peak, Port Angeles was home to eight mills of various kinds, and the western end of the county was thick with stands of timber and the mills that turned logs into lumber, shingles, shakes, and more.

Thousands of people made their living in the timber industry, and their hard work laid the foundation for the region we know today. In fact, many long-time local families can trace their roots back to logging camps, sawmills, and timber companies.

As the economy has shifted toward tourism and other industries, our connection to this heritage has faded. But the legacy still matters — and our community has a growing desire to honor it properly.

The Logging Locomotive: A Monument With a Mission

In 1960, Rayonier — then one of the largest timber employers in Clallam County — donated a logging locomotive to the City of Port Angeles. The gift came with one condition: that the locomotive serve as a monument to our timber heritage.

At the time, the purpose was self-evident. Timber still dominated the local economy, and the local timber companies were household names. But 65 years later, things have changed. The mills are gone. The jobs have shifted. The names, once familiar, have faded.

That’s why this project matters. We’re not just restoring a locomotive. We’re building a place — a place to learn, to reflect, and to remember. Through interpretive signage, historical context, and family stories, we’ll tell the story of how timber shaped Clallam County. And we’ll create a space where families can honor their loved ones’ contributions to the industry that built this region.

Be Part of the Story

Already, local families with deep timber roots have donated to this project, choosing to honor their family legacies in a meaningful way. We invite you to join them.

Do you have a family story to share? Would you like to include your family's name or history as part of this memorial? We’d love to hear from you.

Contact us at FixThe4@Yahoo.com to get involved, share your stories and ideas, and learn how you can support the project.

Together, we can preserve this legacy — and ensure future generations understand the role timber played in shaping our home.