June 21st: Friday, while surfing the internet 🌐💻 - looking for something local to explore … an article about "the oldest standing church building in the state of Washington" came up. It sounded interesting 🧐, so, I jotted the address down 📝 and decided that I would make a Sunday drive; to the location to find it.
Claquato Church is a historic Methodist church located in the former community of Claquato, Washington. The structure is recognized as the oldest standing church building in the state of Washington (Construction completed: 1858) and the second oldest structure, after the Jackson Courthouse, in Lewis County. Considered the last of the Washington Territory churches to remain, the building was the second Protestant house of worship constructed in the incorporated region.
The National Register of Historic Places form states that Claquato Church was the third such Protestant church built in the "entire vast area north of the Columbia River". Whether this is an error pertaining strictly to the Washington Territory, or was meant to include parts of Canada, is not known per the form.
Later listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 - with restoration & Historical recognition, began in 2006. The Claquato Church is still standing in 2026, with the Claquato Cemetery Association purchasing it, on October 28, 2025 and is undergoing a major restoration.
When I woke up this morning and told Holland what I was going to do: he said he'd come with me. Bonus 😁
The morning was sun was warm and inviting 🌞 as we set out to enjoy our Sunday Outing 🚘 - I grabbed my camera 📸 & we set GPS 🗺️ with a hope & a prayer (sometimes she can be snotty and refuse to obey our requests).
I wanted to go the whole route over backroads: Holland agreed to that.
We left the Park & took Barnes Drive, crossing the freeway into Toledo; crossing the overpass, we saw that new construction had taken place & big trucks were parked on the premises - this is a dead end road, so this is a prime location for a private investor. Toledo is up-&-coming.
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Nearing Toledo's hilltop, Holland pointed out the church building he had worked on in the late 1980's. I have been in that church 1 time, sometime in 2002, for a homeschool thing - he's right in stating, "those ceilings are fricking high." Yes; they are:
At the top of Toledo's hill - where the High School is, we turned towards Vader's Military Road that would take us where we would eventually find what we were looking for.
Along the route & passing through Napavine, I pointed Frosty's out saying the garlic fries there are worth the drive to get them … and I also noticed what looked like a house with a pioneer school notice on it - so, Holland found a place to turn around in a little further up the road, & backtracked; so I could get a picture of it for research - what I found was, that the original school building & property had been purchased.
{{Current Use of the 1895 Newaukum School Site in Napavine, WA: Based on the most recent Lewis County property records, the property at 301 E Newaukum St; the site of the historic 1895 Newaukum School - is now classified as “Other Residential” and is owned by Kenneth R. and Romona J. Madison. The ownership records show a 2021 transfer to the Madisons from the previous Montgomery owners. Historical context: The 1895 Newaukum School was a local educational facility in the Napavine area. While the parcel records do not list the building’s original name or date, the address and location match the historic site. The current classification and ownership confirm that the site is no longer an active school and is instead a private residential property.}}
Driving along, we were both commenting on the recent housing developments there, and feeling very sorry for the loss of fields that used to stretch out forever along the roadway, on either side. Coming from a long line of family carpenters and construction workers - on both sides of his familial tree, Holland understood the houses eating up the farmland … and I do, too - but I did feel a great loss 😩 at the way the urban houses are turning the countryside into suburban communities eating up the land & ruining the skyline views. I will miss the rural country drives that made the backroad so special to travel.
I pointed out the hiking trails along abandoned and ripped out railroad tracks, saying he wouldn't have to worry about me on those trails anymore - because Betsy's length and width is too big for the minimalist parking available along the roadsides. I will miss that too: those were fun trails that I have annually hiked, since 1998 until 2023. But my New Life calls for new activities now.
New activities, like today's activity ☺️
{{History of the Military Road from Vader to Napavine, Washington
The Military Road in western Washington was part of a network of federally funded wagon roads built in the mid‑19th century to connect U.S. Army posts, improve settlement, and secure trade routes. The segment from Vader (near present‑day Winlock) to Napavine lies along the old route between Fort Steilacoom and Fort Vancouver, which was the original “Military Road” from 1855 onward.
Origins and Purpose
When the Oregon Territory became Washington Territory in 1853, the U.S. Army, under Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, began building roads to link forts and open settlement MyNorthwest+1. In December 1855, the Washington Territorial House memorialized Congress for a road between Fort Steilacoom (near present‑day Steilacoom) and Fort Vancouver (near present‑day Vancouver, WA) for safety and supply purposes. The road was intended to replace dangerous water routes and to protect settlers from potential hostilities.
Route and Napavine’s Place
The original Military Road ran north from Fort Steilacoom through present‑day Chehalis, then up the Newaukum River valley toward the Cowlitz River. Napavine, in Township 12N, Range 2W, lay near the crest of a low east‑west divide between the Chehalis and Cowlitz rivers pacific-hwy.net. In 1853, surveyor Joseph Hunt described the area as fertile prairie (Banfan Prairie) and timbered land, with Hom Creek (Olequa Creek) flowing through. This stretch was part of the Grand Prairie, a key agricultural zone.
Construction and Use
The road evolved from a native footpath to a wagon road, and later a highway. Early travel was difficult: “mud holes” and corduroy sections made it a joke among travelers.
By the 1860s, the Military Road from Fort Steilacoom to Seattle was completed, and the route through Napavine was a vital link in the chain. It carried mail, supplies, and settlers, and later became part of the Pacific Highway and US 99.
Later Developments
The Napavine area was settled in 1853 by John M. MacDonald Jr. and John Henry Cutting pacific-hwy.net. The road’s path through the prairie and timbered hills connected the Chehalis River valley with the Cowlitz River, and it was later paralleled by the Northern Pacific Railroad. Today, remnants of the old Military Road are visible in some parks, and the corridor still serves as a historic and scenic link between the Chehalis and Cowlitz river basins.}}
At the junction of of Hwy 603-WA & Hwy 6-WA, in Chehalis, GPS directed us across the highway and up the steep hill, to the left … and there it was!
The distinctive 'crown of thorns' showing beautifully:
Holland pulled over & parked, so I could jump out and walk around the grounds to see it from every angle 👀 - and read every descriptive plaque posted.
He knows how excited I get about Historical tidbits 😉
And, he also knew he'd have a bit of a wait while I looked, snapped pictures, read information posted, and just generally immersed myself in the moment ⏱️😘
{{Ghost Town: Claquato, Washington
~By Jessica Rush
The term ghost town conjures the image of a desolate abandoned place. Technically, Claquato is a ghost town but not because it has been abandoned to dereliction. The location where the town of Claquato once was is now a neighborhood near Chehalis. And though Claquato was once the Lewis County Seat, only two landmarks remain - the church and the cemetery.
The area was named by the Native Americans before any pioneers appeared on the scene. The term means “high land” or “high prairie.” According to historian Roscoe Doane, the area was a seasonal campsite for the Indians whose hunting and fishing trails led down to the Chehalis and Neuwaukum Rivers. “Further evidence of their presence was their burial ground to the east, just near the foot of the hill,” writes Doane.
Claquato became a Donation Land Claim when Lewis Hawkins Davis (1794-1865) arrived in 1851 after traveling west with a wagon train from Independence, Missouri. The site was ideal because it was only partly timbered which saved the effort of clearing it for construction and pasture. Davis quickly built a log home with his wife, Susan, and their family.
The entire region was sparsely populated by a few families and single men like John R. Jackson and Sidney Ford. When Washington became its own Territory in 1853, the opportunity to lay claim to more than just a homestead was a real possibility. Lewis H. Davis envisioned a road system and a town up on his “high ground” to welcome the influx of settlers coming into the territory.
He and his sons set to work creating roads. The first led over the hill and down to the confluence of the Skookumchuck and Chehalis Rivers near the Borst’s home. The roads Hawkins created not only encouraged pioneers to pass through, but to settle in the area. At least one of Hawkins’ roads would later be incorporated into the military road system during the Indian Wars.
In the early days, the Davis family didn’t have facilities for travelers but they did have a large fir tree near their home which they encouraged folks to camp under, as it provided some shelter from the sun and rain. This fir tree still stands prominently in Claquato Cemetery. It bears a plaque that reads, “Claquato Pioneer Fir. A Shelter for First Settlers. Dedicated in 1937 as a Memorial to their Fortitude.”
Phoebe Goodell Judson, author of her memoir A Pioneer’s Search for an Ideal Home has this to say of Claquato, “Esq. Davis called his prairie Claquato, an Indian name for high land. A road was cut through the heavy timber by the settlers, from the prairie to the mouth of the Skookumchuck River, and other roads radiating from this point made Claquato a very pretty little town—nature having been lavish in her adornments, the scene was of picturesque beauty.”
As travel through the Territory and its settlement increased, so to did tensions with the Native People who already called this region home. In 1855-1856 the Indian Wars came to Thurston County and created unease in Lewis County as well. Forts were erected throughout the area including one in Claquato. The Judsons took refuge in this fort and Phoebe wrote that it “was built of heavy timbers and enclosed by a palisade of fir and cedar posts, twelve feet in height, driven firmly into the ground. Portholes were made in the walls of the blockhouses, through which we might defend ourselves from the enemy.”
Life went on in the fort, with many settlers leaving by day to tend to their fields and livestock. There was a wedding at the fort as well as death. Mary Spinning, who was just a toddler, was famously the first to pass in Claquato. Because of her, Davis donated a portion of his land to create Claquato Cemetery. The families of the fort were deeply affected by her death.
“The saddest event was the death of little Mamie (Mary) Spinning,’ wrote Judson. “We all loved the bright little prattler, with the dark, expressive eyes and the sweet, innocent face, and we followed, as one family, with the sorrowing parents, the precious form from which the bright jewel had fled, to the little grave on the hillside near a small grove of evergreen trees and sang “Sister Thou Wast Mild and Lovely.” Being a very impressive scene, and the first burial any of us had attended in the country.”
After the war, which amounted to little in Lewis County, Davis once again looked to the development of his beloved town. He built a sawmill in 1857, the first lumber of which was used to build the Claquato Church which was dedicated in 1858. With the production of lumber, the village quickly grew to boast two hotels, a blacksmith shop, a carpentry and cabinet shop, livery stable, general store, the church and parsonage, a cable ferry and homes. The sawmill was also used to mill grain. Davis set aside land to build a two-story courthouse in 1862 which was deeded over to Lewis County, making Claquato the county seat.
The little pioneer church which also served as a school is still standing today, restored to its original condition. The foundation and structure are original, making it the oldest church in Washington State. Even the original bell, cast in Boston in 1857, is still there. The most striking aspect of the church is its crown of thorns steeple. Special services and events are held there on occasion.
It is useful to stop at the church first when visiting Claquato since there is a map of the Pioneer Village posted outside (there is no map posted there now~June 21, 2026)
The Claquato Cemetery office also contains photographs and historic displays. While in the cemetery you may visit the Pioneer Fir on your way to the old section of the cemetery at the top of the hill. In this older section look for Mary Spinning’s grave as well as that of Lewis Hawkins Davis.
Davis passed in October of 1865 after a fall at his sawmill. And Claquato, which had thrived as a stagecoach town, began to slip into obscurity with the coming of the railroad in 1874. The plat for the town was vacated in 1902.
For Continued Reading: There is plenty to read about the Landmarks of Claquato in the Lewis County Historical Museum. Much effort was made in the 1930s to research and catalog the people and landmarks of Claquato in the newspaper, the Chehalis Bee-Nugget.
https://www.lewistalk.com/2018/07/15/ghost-town-claquato-washington/ }}
Then, we drove across the street, & into the cemetery grounds; Holland knew I wanted to see the headstones - and we were already there - so, in we went. Cemeteries don't bother either of us: and as far as the grounds go … it is a lovely area.
I'm glad Holland came with me today, because the cemetery entrance was so tight, I would have skipped visiting, worried I'd scrape both sides of Betsy's frame entering. Holland, on the other hand, angled her length - keeping an eye on her width, and maneuvered her inside.
Men do have a purpose in a woman's life 🤭
I didn't walk the entire cemetery because it's quite extensive, but I did walk the oldest section; and I only took pictures of headstones that were distinctly different from the rest:
{{History of Claquato Cemetery, Chehalis, WA
Claquato Cemetery is one of Lewis County’s most historic and scenic burial grounds, with roots stretching back to the mid-19th century. The name “Claquato” comes from the Chehalis Indian word meaning “high prairie,” reflecting the area’s early settlement.
Founding and Early Years
The cemetery’s origins trace to 1851, when Lewis Hawkins Davis came west and established the village of Claquato. In the 1850s, Davis donated a small parcel of land as a burial site. The first burial was young Mary Spinning in 1856, followed by other pioneer families.
Expansion and Community Involvement
In 1893, the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) platted a five-acre tract adjacent to the Davis parcel for their members. By 1920, the Claquato Cemetery Association was formed as a nonprofit to purchase 20 acres from the Davis estate. The association created endowment funds from voluntary contributions and lot sales, with interest used for perpetual care, and directors served without pay.
Enhancements and Landmarks
In the 1920s, a Women’s Auxiliary beautified the grounds, installed an irrigation system from the Chehalis River, and created the “Baby Rose Garden” for infants. In 1937, a large fir tree was dedicated as the “Pioneer Tree”, symbolizing shelter for early settlers, with a bronze plaque marking its significance.
Mergers and Growth
The cemetery expanded further, adding another 16 acres. In 1973, the Sunset Memorial Gardens (originally an IOOF tract) was merged into Claquato under the board’s direction, creating a unified site of nearly 70 acres.
Legacy
Over the decades, Claquato has become a premier burial site in the region, valued for its pioneer heritage, natural beauty, and enlightened endowment plan. It remains a place where both descendants of early settlers and modern residents choose to be buried, drawn to its serene setting overlooking the Chehalis River valley and Cascade Mountains.
Today, Claquato Cemetery at 142 Stearns Road, Chehalis, WA continues to honor its history through careful stewardship, landscaping, and community involvement.}}
When we left the cemetery, Holland said, "Why don't we stop at that restaurant in Napavine, that you've been talking about all month long?" YES, please! So, that's what we did: we drove to Frosty's to grab 2 cheeseburgers & an order of Garlic Fries 🍔🍟 - and that place was busy! We both had forgotten that today was Father's Day: Holland never fathered any children … and the man in my life that bore that Title for 44 years, now resides above the clouds; so the holiday totally slipped our thoughts.
When I got home and started putting this post together … I learned the background of Frosty's: I had always assumed it was a Train Station/boardinghouse/railroad diner (goods drop-off, passenger station-Inn, business warehouse in the back end) in it's heyday - I assumed this, because the railroad tracks are practically at the back door & the interior is very spacious, very adequate for goods, people, & warehouse storage. That assumption made sense. Holland didn't have any thoughts one way or the other: this was the first time he'd been there & he didn't go inside. And even though I knew it had a bar in it (right inside the back door, actually), I never considered that that was the main reason it had been built - so, I learned something new today about a place I have been getting burger's and fries from, for a long time.
{{History of Frosty’s in Napavine, WA
Frosty’s Saloon & Grill in Napavine, Washington, is one of the oldest continuously operating saloons in the state, with roots dating back to 1901 - more than a decade before the town itself was incorporated in 1913. Believed to have been built in that year, it predates Napavine’s founding and has served as a central gathering place for generations.
Early Days and Community Role
In its early years, Frosty’s was a bustling barn-like saloon catering to tired loggers and other travelers along the Northern Pacific Railroad route. It was a favorite watering hole and a place to rest between work, offering both drinks and food. Old liquor licenses from as early as 1903 are still framed on the walls, and the oak bar from 1902 remains in use, serving patrons for over a century.
Changing Uses
Over the years, Frosty’s has had a variety of roles beyond its original function. It has served as a candy store, barber shop, brothel, and even a place where children could earn pennies by collecting beer bottles for the owner. These shifts reflect the changing needs of the community and the evolving nature of small-town businesses.
Ghost Stories and Atmosphere
With its long history, Frosty’s has a reputation for ghostly encounters. Patrons and employees have reported sightings of a logger ghost in logging attire at the bar, a woman in a blue dress, and unexplained voices heard when the place is empty. These stories add to its allure for visitors and locals alike.
Modern Legacy
Today, Frosty’s operates as a bar and grill with a family restaurant side and a lively bar area. It continues to serve classic American pub fare - burgers, salads, and hearty drinks - while preserving its historic character. Its location at 113 W Front Ave, Napavine, WA 98565 makes it a local landmark and a place where history, community, and a touch of the mysterious still come together.}}
Forty-five minutes later, we were on the road to Winlock, where we turned into the public parking turnout, & ate our meals. We also watched tourists take pictures under the Winlock Egg: I was telling Holland about the annual Winlock Egg Day festivities; he didn't know about it. Out of curiosity, I went the year before we met - it was a small event, & a fun experience.
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{{Winlock, Washington is a historic town known for its World’s Largest Egg, rich timber and poultry industry heritage, and early railroad development.
Historical Background
Winlock was originally called Grand Prairie and was settled around 1871 by Christopher C. Pagget and John "Jack" Nealy, who established homesteads on either side of the proposed Northern Pacific Railroad track. The town was officially named Winlock on December 27, 1873, after Winlock Miller, the son of General William Winlock Miller, who donated a bell for the local school. The town was incorporated on February 28, 1883.
Economic Development
Initially, lumbering drove Winlock’s economy, with multiple sawmills employing hundreds of workers and producing millions of board feet of fir lumber annually. By the early 20th century, egg and poultry production became the town’s primary industry. Winlock was once the second-largest egg-producing city in the United States, shipping eggs as far as New York and Hawaii. The town earned the nickname “Egg and Poultry Capital of the World”, and a large egg sculpture, weighing 1,200 pounds, commemorates this heritage.
Cultural and Community Features
Winlock attracted immigrants from Finland, Germany, and Sweden, contributing to its cultural diversity. The town hosts Egg Days, a two-day summer festival celebrating its poultry history with parades, car shows, and community events. The Winlock Historical Museum and the Renegade Rooster collection preserve the town’s timber and poultry legacy.
Geography and Landmarks
Located in Lewis County, Winlock covers approximately 3.38 square miles of land. Olequa Creek runs through the town, and the Willapa Hills lie to the west. Notable nearby landmarks include Sam Henry Mountain and views of Mount St. Helens, which deposited ash over the town during the 1980 eruption. The World’s Largest Egg at Vern Zander Memorial Park remains a central visual landmark.
Modern Developments
Winlock maintains a small-town atmosphere with a focus on community, parks, and local services. The town has preserved its historical downtown while supporting modern amenities and events that celebrate its heritage.
Winlock’s combination of historical significance, unique landmarks, and community traditions makes it a notable town in Washington State, reflecting both its early industrial roots and its cultural identity.
Winlock, Washington: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winlock,_Washington
&
Egg Farming in Washington (I condensed this down to Winlock, speficic - full article link, at ending)
For nearly 30 years following Washington statehood, egg farming was a cottage industry comprised of small, family-owned operations tending to small flocks of chickens. That changed in 1915, when enterprising farmers created what would be described as Washington state's golden age of poultry farming. A major industry association was created to assist egg farmers, Washington State University opened a popular school in Puyallup to teach would-be egg farmers, and the industry produced tens of millions of eggs annually for shipment throughout the world. Cities in Lewis, Pierce, Snohomish, and King counties became recognized as hubs for successful egg farming businesses. Today, eggs are one of Washington's top 10 agricultural commodities; the state produces more than 2 billion eggs each year and generates more than $240 million in annual revenue.
Early History and Golden Age
Beginning in the middle of the ninetenth century, some 40 years before Washington achieved statehood, new settlers in the Oregon Territory, as well as some Cayuse Tribe members, raised a small number of chickens for harvesting eggs. Following statehood, in 1889, egg farming in the state was comprised of small, family-owned operations with just a small flock of chickens tasked with producing eggs to be sold to local loggers, miners, and railroad workers. Often, eggs were imported from other states, and even from overseas, with grocers purchasing eggs inexpensively and in bulk.
But the potential for Washington egg farmers to create a valuable commodity was realized around 1915, when formal industry organizations, such as the Washington Cooperative Egg and Poultry Association (WCEPA), were created to establish standards for poultry and egg production, as well as to offer farmers the means to operate large hatcheries and compete with out-of-state suppliers by pooling resources to sell in bulk and cover shipping costs.
The WCEPA formed in 1917 with just 150 members. Three years later, it processed 2.5 million dozen eggs valued at $1.4 million. By 1925, the WCEPA accounted for 11 million dozen eggs — approximately one-third of the eggs produced in Washington — valued at $3.5 million. By 1937, the organization had grown to include 23,000 members and dozens of chapters throughout the state.
Winlock's 'Eggstraordinary' History
In Lewis County, Northern Pacific Railroad agent John Marcotte noticed the town's few poultry farmers were limited to selling, or sometimes just trading, their eggs to the local grocer. It was 1910, and Marcotte, who had a new bride and an entrepreneurial streak, came up with a savvy business plan. He encouraged area farmers to sell their eggs -- as well as hogs and veal -- to him, which he resold at a profit to people who lived and worked in Grays Harbor County logging camps. He operated out of a freight warehouse, where he did all of the candling, grading, and packing by himself at night. In 1913, Marcotte moved into the Leonard Building in downtown Winlock, formally named his business Cowlitz Produce Company, and hired a fulltime operations manager.
Between 1910 and 1919, Marcotte's revenue grew from $5,000 to $960,000 per year, and he shipped his eggs by rail to the Eastern seaboard. A few years later, Cowlitz Produce Company reported $2 million in sales and employed 40 people.
Jacob "Jake" Erving -- a Finnish immigrant who arrived in America in 1905 and started his first hatchery and poultry house in Winlock 15 years later -- was another notable Lewis County egg farmer. Erving, who owned several thousand laying hens, built temperature-controlled incubators that could hold 40,000 eggs and featured automatic egg turners. In 1920, he was one of 175 local egg and poultry farmers who joined the local chapter of the Washington Cooperative Egg and Poultry Association.
Two years later, the Lewis County Advocate noted the only American city that produced more eggs than Winlock was Petaluma, California. In addition, half of the eggs produced in Winlock were shipped to New York state; in 1923, New York received 38,400 dozen eggs — in one weekend — from Winlock. Similarly, the Winlock News noted that the Cowlitz Produce Company received an order that same year for 60 train cars of eggs to be shipped to New York over a two-month period.
Farmers in neighboring counties and as far south as Oregon sent their eggs to Winlock to be processed, and town boosters billed Winlock as the "Egg and Poultry Capital of the World."
Washington State Egg Farming Today
More than a century has passed since Washington state's pioneer chicken farmers built their first coops and ushered in the golden age of poultry farming. But you can still see evidence of their work today.
Eggs are still an important part of Washington's economy. According to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), eggs are ranked among the top 10 Washington state commodities, valued at approximately $241 million in 2018.
In Winlock, the city has celebrated Egg Days -- a weekend event held in June that includes free egg salad sandwiches, coronation of the Egg Day Queen, parade, and classic car show -- for more than 80 years. Winlock visitors can take a selfie with the Big Egg; billed as the "world's largest egg," this 12-foot-long, 1,200-pound sculpture sits year-round in a downtown park.
https://www.historylink.org/File/21048 }}
Lunch finished, and Egg Day remembrances voiced, we turned our attention towards Vader, because a stalled train was holding up traffic both side of the Winlock road we needed to get to the freeway. We were hoping 🙏 the 🚂 tracks across Vader's roadway would be open … they were & we could get to the freeway, that way 😊
Today was a great Day out-of-house & on the loose 👩❤️💋👨
Holland, despite feeling pain, was a real trooper.
We both learned a lot of History, today.
And being in outside environments did not trip either of our lung issues today 🌬️ - for that we are profoundly thankful and appreciate Elohim's lovingkindness towards us 💖
