PACIFIC COUNTY, WA HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Pacific County, Washington: A Genealogical Overview

Situated on the rugged southwestern coast of Washington, Pacific County is a region defined by water and wood. Its history unfolds along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the mouth of the mighty Columbia River, and the shallow, productive waters of Willapa Bay. It is nationally significant as the land where the Lewis and Clark Expedition reached its western terminus. For genealogists, the county’s records tell the stories of Chinookan peoples, pioneer families who arrived on Donation Land Claims, and the generations who built their lives around the region’s immense timber, oyster, and fishing industries.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Pacific County was one of the first counties established in the region, and its shifting boundaries and dramatic county seat changes are key to understanding its early records.

  • 1851: County Formed: Pacific County was created on February 4, 1851, by the legislature of the Oregon Territory, more than two years before Washington Territory was established.
  • Parent County: It was formed from the southern portion of the original, massive Lewis County. All research for settlers in the area prior to 1851 must be conducted in the records of Lewis County.
  • Subsequent Formations: Pacific County’s original territory was later reduced to form other counties:
    • Wahkiakum County was created from its southeastern portion in 1854.
    • Chehalis County (renamed Grays Harbor County in 1915) was created from its northern portion in 1854.
  • Name Origin: The county is named for the Pacific Ocean, which forms its entire western boundary.
  • County Seat History: The location of the county seat was a source of major conflict for decades:
    • Chinookville/Chinook: 1851-1852 (Temporary)
    • Pacific City: 1852
    • Oysterville: 1855-1893. As the hub of the booming oyster trade, Oysterville was the seat for nearly four decades.
    • South Bend: 1893-Present. As the timber industry grew, the town of South Bend lobbied to become the new seat. After a contested election, a group of South Bend residents traveled to Oysterville by boat in the middle of the night and forcibly removed the county records, securing South Bend’s status as the county seat.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area is the ancestral homeland of the Lower Chinook people, who lived in sophisticated villages along the Columbia River and Willapa Bay. They were skilled traders and fishers, and their culture was deeply impacted by the arrival of Europeans and Americans.
  • Exploration and Pioneer Settlement: The Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the Pacific Ocean here in November 1805, exploring the area and documenting its geography and people. Significant American settlement began in the late 1840s and was accelerated by the Donation Land Claim Act of 1850, which granted large parcels of land to pioneer settlers, many of whom established claims along the coast and rivers.
  • Key Historical Industries:
    • Oystering: In the mid-19th century, a “gold rush” for oysters occurred in Willapa Bay. The native oysters were harvested and shipped by the schooner-load to San Francisco, creating immense wealth and making Oysterville a prominent and influential town.
    • Logging: By the late 1800s, the focus shifted to the county’s vast old-growth forests. The arrival of the railroad in South Bend and Raymond turned them into major lumber towns with some of the largest sawmills in the world, shaping the economy for the entire 20th century.
    • Fishing: Commercial salmon fishing and canning has been a vital industry for the county since its earliest days, especially in communities near the mouth of the Columbia River like Chinook and Ilwaco.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records are primarily held at the county courthouse in South Bend, with specific duties split between the Auditor and the Clerk.

  • County Courthouse: The Pacific County Courthouse, 300 Memorial Drive, South Bend, WA 98586, is the central repository for historical records.
    • County Auditor: This office holds all land records (deeds, plats, mortgages), which are critical for tracing early families. The Auditor also holds marriage records from 1855 to the present.
    • County Clerk: This office is the repository for all court records, including probate and wills, divorce decrees, civil and criminal cases, and naturalization records.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration began on July 1, 1907. Records from that date forward are held by the Washington State Department of Health. The County Auditor may hold some local birth and death registers from before 1907.
    • Marriage Records: These are held by the Pacific County Auditor and date from 1855.
  • Land Records: Early land records are especially significant due to the Donation Land Claim Act. The case files for these claims are held at the National Archives, but all subsequent land transactions are recorded with the County Auditor.
  • Libraries and Museums:
    • Pacific County Historical Society and Museum: Located in South Bend, this is an essential resource with extensive collections of photographs, family files, and artifacts detailing the county’s history.
    • Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum: Located in Ilwaco, this museum focuses on the history of the Long Beach Peninsula, the lower Columbia River, and the region’s maritime heritage.
    • Timberland Regional Library: The local branches throughout the county have local history collections, newspaper archives, and other genealogical resources.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Grays Harbor County (north)
    • Lewis County (east)
    • Wahkiakum County (southeast)
    • Clatsop County, Oregon (south, across the Columbia River)