Nostalgia & History > Sappho Camp

Sappho, Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula, was founded by Martin Van Buren Lamoreux who named it after the Greek poet from the island of Lesbos. Many thought it is just another Indian name used by many towns in the area! It became a logging camp for Bloedel-Donavan connecting their Clallam Bay and southern with railroad lines in the Solduc area. Rayonier purchased their B-D's railroad holdings in 1945 and operated until the early 1960s.  By the time I photographed Sappho in 1972 it was pretty much a ghost town.  Later the building were bulldozed, the store burned in 2004, and even the statue of the Sappho maiden has vanished. If you are not watching now you blow through the town and cross the Solduc River bridge before you know it.

1. Wheelsets left behind
2. Steam era water tower
3. Bloedel-Donovan company General Merchandise store.

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4. Some rails were left and lots of small artifacts from the blacksmith shop.
5. Camp cars without their wheels.
6. More camp cars. These appear to be mounted on large logs.

At least one of the camp cars was preserved and moved to a different location.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/15 00:41 by Railpax71.

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Great photos of a neat place.  Thanks for sharing.

Martin

That's one tall water tank!  Bet the pressure is pretty high coming out that spout.