Ocean Shores Washington

The above postcard arrived a couple days ago, sent by my favorite aunt, who had just had fun weathering a severe winter storm, or two, at my cousin's place in Ocean Shores.

I don't remember, for sure, the last time I've been to Ocean Shores on the Washington Coast. My best guess is August of 2004, when I drove from Tacoma to the coast, hoping to go to a lunch buffet at the Quinault Beach Resort, at the north end of Ocean Shores.

When I was a kid my three favorite places to go on a family camping trip were Sun Lakes State Park, in Eastern Washington, Honeyman State Park, on the Oregon Coast, to play on the Oregon Dunes and to the Ocean Shores zone of the Washington Pacific Coast.

The modern era of Ocean Shores, as a town and a real estate development, began back in the late 1950s. At the time, it was believed, by many, that the Washington State Legislature would soon legalize casino gambling. And so Ocean Shores Development Corporation begun selling lots.

My Brother, Sister-In-Law, Big Ed & Sister
In Front Of The Catala Shipwreck

Soon a bit of a gold rush erupted as rumors spread of a California type development at a place called Ocean Shores. As lots sold, roads were built.

Soon, Hollywood's Ginny Simms opened a restaurant and nightclub. This brought in celebrities. On Ginny Simms' opening night chartered planes flew in Hollywood stars by the dozens, with thousands turning out in Ocean Shores to catch a glimpse.

Simpler times.

By late 1960, 25 miles of canals were planned, along with a golf course, mall, motels, more restaurants and an airport.

The ill-fated S.S. Catala was brought up from California to serve as a "boatel." Two years later a strong winter storm grounded the Catala, turning her into the most famous shipwreck on the Washington Coast.

Big Ed Climbing a Catala Smokestack While
My Brother & Sister Lean

Crooner Pat Boone became a resident in 1967. In 1969 Ocean Shores was dubbed the "Richest Little City in America" due to the assessed property value of its 900 residents.

Eventually the S.S. Catala became a bit of a hazard. In the late 1980s a girl fell through the shipwreck's rusted deck, resulting in a broken back and her family suing the State of Washington. The State then ordered the ship to be removed to sand level. But then, a series of storms gradually unburied what remained of the Catala.  In 2006 a beachcomber saw that oil was leaking from the wreck. The Washington State Department of Ecology then sealed off the area and removed the remains of the S.S. Catala.

Below is a blurb I gleaned from an Ocean Shores website that does a good job of characterizing Ocean Shores in the year 2012...

Ocean Shores is the top coastal destination in Washington State & boasts over a thousand  rooms in a variety of hotel & condominium complexes that line the beaches as well as a  population of over 5,000 full time residents. With more than six miles of flat, easily accessible ocean beaches & 23 miles of interconnected freshwater lakes and canals - coupled with plenty of recreation & leisure opportunities - it's easy to see why millions visit annually & people more than ever are relocating to settle in for a true oceanfront lifestyle. A brand new elementary school, a new multi-million dollar convention center, an 18-hole championship golf course, brand-new, freshly-paved roads, clean air, gorgeous views, an abundance of wildlife, small-town charm, great restaurants, tons of fishing, clamming & a casino on the beach are just a few of  the reasons why Ocean Shores is hotter than ever - even in this economy. If you're looking to just enjoy yourself at the beach, search for some real estate in the likes of a beach cabin, condo, vacant camping lot, getaway pad or even a fulltime house, you've come to the right place. See you on the beach!

Washington's Pacific Ocean's Ocean Shores is Celebrating 50 Years of Coasting

I saw the ad on the left in the Skagit Valley Herald online this morning. The ad put Ocean Shores on my mind.

Summer of 2004 was the last time I've been to Ocean Shores. I recollect going to the rock jetty that sticks out into the Pacific Ocean at the entry to Gray's Harbor and seeing a pair of whales blowing their spouts and seals playing.

The town of Ocean Shores got its start in 1960 when Ralph Minard sold the family cattle ranch, that he'd been operating since 1929, which his grandpa, A. O. Damon bought from Matthew McGee in 1878, to the Ocean Shores Development Corporation for a million dollars.

The Ocean Shores Development Corporation was banking on the Washington State legislature allowing a big Ocean Shores casino. In anticipation of the casino boom to come, the OSDC starting selling lots. Rumors of a big California development quickly spread. Lots sold, sight unseen, prices rose. A road system was laid out, street lights installed.

And then Hollywood came to town when the Ginny Sims Restaurant and Nightclub opened. For Ginny Sims Grand Opening chartered planes flew in Hollywood stars. Over 11,000 people showed up to star gaze.

By 1961 canals were being dug, a golf course had golfers. By 1963 there was a marina, motels, mall, restaurants and an airport.

Also, in 1963, the S.S. Catala arrived from California to become a floating Boatel, docked at the south end of Ocean Shores, near the entry to Gray's Harbor. Two years later a big storm ran the S.S. Catala up on a sandbar, where she remained as the most famous shipwreck on the Washington coast til she grew so rusted and dangerous that she was removed. But, for decades, that shipwreck attracted a lot of visitors.

Including me. That's me, in yellow, standing on the sloping deck, next to a smokestack.

The Ocean Shores Development Corporation never did get approval from the state to open a casino. Many years later, however, the Indian Tribes of Washington won their sovereignty battle with the state and started opening casinos, including Quinalt Beach Resort and Casino, near Ocean Shores.

By the 1970s my grandma bought an Ocean Shores lot. We used it often as a base for razor clam digging. Then in the 1980s my mom and dad bought an Ocean Shores lot. The reason why escapes me now. A lot of people bought a lot of Ocean Shores lots.

By the turn of the century many beach homes had been built in Ocean Shores, developed all the way to the southern end jetty.

Ocean Shores has always been one of my favorite places in Washington, largely due to many fond memories of fun times as a kid.

I remember when I was 5, camping at Copalis, which is a town north of Ocean Shores. My little brother, 4 and I walked to the beach and somehow I lost my brother. This turned into a big deal. I think I may have gotten in trouble.

Driving on the beach is another fun thing at Ocean Shores, until you go too far and get stuck, which only happened once to me, in my antique 1965 Mustang.

I think I've just about convinced myself that I need a visit to Ocean Shores. Last time I was there I had the best fish and chips ever, made with fresh cod. Plus razor clam chowder. And a fresh blackberry shake.