In 1968, tourists expected to spend over $10 million in Grays Harbor County

From the archives of The Daily World

75 years ago

May 28, 1943

Four Aberdeen school boys, have established an enviable record the past year as school bus drivers according to Carl Quien, bus supervisor of the Aberdeen school district.

None of them had been experienced in driving buses before last fall, but all through the winter, in all kinds of weather, the children in the outlying districts were brought to school by them.

Keith Williams drove a 56-passenger bus on the upper Wishkah valley route. Elliott Pearson and Don Anderson alternately drive a 61-passenger bus on the South Aberdeen, Finch Farms and upper Wishkah valley route. Walter Berg has been driving the largest bus, with a capacity of 68 passengers on the Central Park and lower Wishkah valley routes.

50 years ago

May 28, 1968

Tourists, both from in state and out, will spend more than $10,000,000 in Grays Harbor County this year, according to a projection released this week by the Ocean Shores Motel Association.

“We want people to realize that tourism now is big business,” said George Harris, motel association president. “It is growing faster than any other industry here. It is putting dollars into every pocket in the county.”

The Ocean Shores Inn, the resort’s main restaurant, is expected to gross some $650,000 this year.

25 years ago

May 28, 1993

Hoquiam businessman Bill Quigg continues negotiations to acquire the Grays Harbor Paper Co. mill, but ITT Rayonier appears ready to begin demolishing the adjacent pulp mill.

Since last fall, Quigg has been working on a deal for the Hoquiam pulp and paper complex that closed in November, putting some 650 people out of work.

He said he wants to re-open the paper mill and employ about 230 people. He has already secured a labor agreement with the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers union, but it only goes in effect if he pulls off the purchase.

Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom