You’ll find McCormick’s ghost town remnants in Washington state, where Charles R. McCormick’s lumber empire flourished from 1908 to 1931. The town grew rapidly around its mill operations, housing diverse immigrant workers in bunkhouses and family cabins. After surviving a devastating 1909 fire, the rebuilt mill thrived until timber depletion and the Great Depression forced its closure. By 1941, only abandoned buildings remained, with nature reclaiming what was once a bustling industrial community.
Key Takeaways
- McCormick was a thriving lumber town founded in 1908 by Charles R. McCormick, featuring mills and a logging railroad system.
- The town’s decline began in 1927 due to depleted timber resources and economic pressures from the Great Depression.
- Workers lived in company-provided bunkhouses and cabins, earning about $30 monthly while working 11½-hour shifts.
- The post office closure in 1929 marked a significant milestone in McCormick’s transformation from bustling town to ghost town.
- By 1941, McCormick was completely abandoned, with its buildings overtaken by second-growth forest after a failed tuberculosis sanatorium attempt.
The Rise of McCormick’s Lumber Empire
When Charles R. McCormick founded his lumber empire in 1908, you’d have witnessed the birth of one of the Pacific Coast‘s most ambitious industrial ventures.
From San Francisco, he rapidly expanded across Oregon, Washington, and California, establishing a network of mills and timberlands connected by his own logging railroad. He strategically expanded by opening a creosoting plant in 1912.
You’ll find the turning point came in 1925 when McCormick boldly acquired the Puget Mill Company for $15 million, gaining control of Port Gamble and Port Ludlow operations.
While lumber production soared, economic challenges soon emerged. The company faced mounting financial pressures from modernization costs and high interest rates, leading to significant losses by 1930.
Despite expanding sales efforts and increasing output, McCormick’s aggressive growth strategy ultimately left the company vulnerable as the Great Depression loomed. By 1930, the company posted a devastating $858,587 loss due to the economic downturn.
Daily Life in a Pacific Northwest Mill Town
As the mill whistle pierced the dawn air at 6:20 a.m., McCormick’s lumber workers emerged from their company-owned cabins and bunkhouses to begin another demanding day.
You’d find yourself rushing to the communal breakfast, where you’d have just 20 minutes to wolf down your corned beef, potatoes, and hot griddle cakes before heading to your 11½-hour shift.
Worker routines revolved entirely around the mill whistle’s command. If you were single, you’d bunk with fellow workers, while families occupied small cabins throughout the town. The dangerous work conditions meant 10 to 20 men quit each day, with new hires quickly taking their places. The town’s prosperity lasted until sawmill operations ceased in 1930.
Your monthly earnings of $30, often paid in prestigious half-dollar coins, would buy basic goods at the company store.
During your precious free time, you might catch a show at the Star Theater or join others fishing in the bay.
Cultural Diversity and Immigration Impact
The diverse faces of McCormick’s workforce reflected Washington state’s broader immigration patterns of the late 1890s. You’d have found Germans, Scandinavians, Dutch, and British immigrants working alongside Japanese, Filipino, and Chinese laborers at the bustling lumber mill.
These immigrant groups brought their own cultural traditions, often forming ethnic enclaves that shaped the town’s social fabric. Immigration records from the ports of entry documented the arrival of many of these workers.
While specific records of McCormick’s demographic makeup aren’t available, you can imagine the cultural dynamics that played out, similar to other Pacific Northwest mill towns.
Labor disputes occasionally erupted as workers organized for better conditions, highlighting tensions between different ethnic groups. Like the early Scots-Irish families who settled new territories, these workers sought better opportunities in unfamiliar lands.
The Northern Pacific Railroad‘s branch line served as an essential connection, bringing new waves of immigrants who’d contribute their skills and traditions to McCormick’s growth until the mill’s closure in 1927.
The Great Fire and Rebuilding Years
Devastating flames engulfed McCormick’s original mill in 1909, marking a pivotal moment in the town’s industrial history. The fire aftermath left the town’s primary economic engine in ruins, threatening the community’s survival.
Yet, you’d have witnessed remarkable resilience as immediate rebuilding efforts began. The rebuilt mill emerged with cutting-edge logging and milling technologies, helping McCormick maintain its position as a prominent sawmill center through the 1910s and early 1920s.
While the rebuilding efforts showcased the town’s determination, they couldn’t prevent the inevitable. By 1927, depleted timber resources and economic pressures forced the mill’s closure. Much like the devastating fire of 1879 that destroyed several businesses in Silver Reef, these industrial disasters often reshaped the destinies of Western boom towns.
You can still trace this history in McCormick’s remains, where by 1941, second-growth alders had reclaimed the once-bustling industrial site, leaving only ruins as evidence to its lumber legacy.
From Bustling Township to Abandoned Rails
McCormick’s transformation from thriving lumber town to ghost town began in earnest during 1927, when timber depletion forced its bustling mill into silence.
Economic factors hit hard as the Great Depression followed, dealing a final blow to the McCormick Lumber Company’s operations by 1931. You’d have witnessed the town’s rapid decline as its lifeblood – the Northern Pacific Railroad branch line – became unnecessary and was eventually scrapped.
The post office had already closed in 1929, and by 1941, you’d have found little more than abandoned buildings being reclaimed by second-growth forest. Modern researchers often consult disambiguation pages to distinguish this ghost town from other locations sharing the McCormick name.
While a brief attempt at repurposing came with a tuberculosis sanatorium in 1935, even this venture failed by 1941.
The once-productive timber town now stands as a reflection of the boom-and-bust cycle of resource-dependent communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happened to the Remaining Buildings After the Town Was Abandoned?
You’ll find most buildings collapsed or deteriorated, with nature reclaiming the site. The sawmill fell by 1941, while other structures lost their building preservation value and historical significance through decay.
Are There Any Ghost Stories or Supernatural Legends About Mccormick?
You won’t find documented ghost sightings or haunted history here. While the abandoned mill ruins create an eerie atmosphere, there aren’t any verified supernatural legends from McCormick’s early 1900s existence.
Can Visitors Legally Explore the Former Mccormick Townsite Today?
You can’t legally explore most of McCormick’s ruins today without permission, as it’s private property. While you’re allowed on the Willapa Hills Trail, venturing beyond breaks town regulations.
What Wildlife Now Inhabits the Former Mill and Town Location?
You’ll encounter abundant wildlife sightings, including mule deer herds, black bears, cougars, and coyotes. Nature’s ecological impact has transformed the site into prime habitat for songbirds, raptors, and small mammals.
Did Any Families From Mccormick’s Heyday Maintain Property Through Present Day?
Time tells all tales – you won’t find any family descendants who’ve maintained continuous property ownership in McCormick since its heyday, as George Fraser acquired most holdings in 1954, ending original family property preservation.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCormick
- https://revisitwa.org/waypoint/mccormick/
- https://www.ptleader.com/stories/ghosts-of-jefferson-county-town-of-mccormick
- https://mccormickscchamber.org/about/about-mccormick-county/history/
- https://parks.wa.gov/about/news-center/field-guide-blog/willapa-hills-state-park-trail-history
- https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/pope-talbot-inc-history/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_R._McCormick_Lumber_Company
- http://chicagology.com/prefire/prefire129/
- http://chicagology.com/rebuilding/rebuilding151/
- https://www.historylink.org/File/5511
