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GRAYS HARBOR (WESTPORT)
March 19, 1885: "Point Hanson, better known as Chehalis point, has been selected as the site for the Gray's harbor lighthouse." (The Coast Mail - Marshfield, Oregon)
February 4, 1892: "The series of accidents occurring on the North beach demonstrates the necessary for a lighthouse and life saving station at the entrance of the Harbor, and it is the duty of every board of trade in western Washington to promptly make such representations to congress as will assure a speedy appropriation for the purpose. In this connection no better argument can be produced in favor of the proposed patrol of our coasts by revenue cutters. It certainly would not have been necessary for the Ferndale to beat along the coast for two weeks in search of the Columbia river had a government vessel been at hand to warn and direct her, and instead of lying at the bottom of the sea this noble ship and precious crew might now be safe in port. If we cannot have a lighthouse congress owes it to the nation's commerce to appropriate the small additional item of expense attendant upon a patrol of the coast by the several revenue cutters which lie snugly in port during the winter months." (Aberdeen Herald)
May 19, 1892: "The additional appropriation asked for the lighthouse at the entrance of Grays Harbor was voter down by the Democratic house, because it came under the head of new legislation, but in reality because they wanted to keep appropriations down in order to help make a good showing by keeping appropriations down. The HERALD finds demagogism more objectionable in a democratic majority than elsewhere. The loss of the Ferndale, with nearly all her crew, and accidents of other vessels, have fully demonstrated the needs of a lighthouse." (Aberdeen Herald)
March 19, 1885: "Point Hanson, better known as Chehalis Point, has been selected as the site for the Gray's Harbor light-house." (The Coast Mail)
April 23, 1890: "The sub-committee on Commerce reported to the full committee this morning in favor of the appropriation for a lighthouse at Gray's Harbor, Washington. The report of the full committee to the House will be made at the next meeting." (San Francisco Call)
January 15, 1892: "Congressman Wilson of Washington has introduced a bill appropriating $25,000 for establishing a first order lighthouse and fog signal at Grays harbor." (Ukiah Republican Press – California)
December 8, 1892: "In submitting estimates for lighthouses the secretary of the treasury has this year included Grays Harbor for a lighthouse and fog signal as absolutely indispensable, and estimated that $60,000 was necessary to construct same." (Aberdeen Herald)
April 25, 1895: "Word comes that the long needed lighthouse at the entrance of Grays harbor will soon be an accomplished fact. The only trouble heretofore has been in the matter of title to land desired. Through the effort of Senator Deckebach this was overcome and work will proceed at once. It will be a light of the first-class and will be one more step toward the development of the best harbor north of San Francisco." (Aberdeen Herald)
August 8, 1895: "The object of the said petition is that the United States of America, complainants, and to condemn for lighthouse purposes, the lands situated in the county of Chehalis, and in the Western Division of the District of Washington." (Aberdeen Herald)
January 16, 1896: "The final papers have been filed in the auditor's office, which completes the title to the site for the lighthouse. Nothing now remains to be done prior to beginning work on the structure." (Aberdeen Herald)
April 9, 1896: "Mr. Freeman, a government employe, was here a few days since in the interest of the proposed new lighthouse. He bored several holes fifteen feet down through the sand to ascertain what kind of foundation could be secured. Stakes have been set out marking the site for the lighthouse, and Mr. Freeman thinks work will be commenced on its construction within the next three or four months." (Aberdeen Herald)
July 9, 1896: "Hon. John L. Wilson has sent the HERALD a letter he received in reply to inquiries made of the U.S. Lighthouse Board, relative to the erection of the lighthouse at the mouth of Grays Harbor. It states that the plans are well advanced toward completion, and the work will be advertised at an early date." (Aberdeen Herald)
July 23, 1896: "What is the reason of the delay in beginning the construction of the lighthouse at the entrance to Grays harbor ? Some time has elapsed since we were assured that all preliminaries were arranged and work would speedily go forward. If some one does not soon get a hustle on them, another winter of storm and danger and possible disaster will be upon us before this protection to commence will be ready for business." (Aberdeen Herald)
January 28, 1987: "Now that the contract for building the lighthouse here has been let, we hope that work will be commenced soon and pushed to an early completion." (Aberdeen Herald)
February 25, 1897: "Mr. Erickson, who has the contract to build the lighthouse, was here last Saturday, looking over the ground, and went on down to Stafford's to look at some gravel that he expects to use in its construction." (Aberdeen Herald)
April 15, 1897: "W.H. Morgan returned from a short visit to Westport, yesterday, where he was looking after his property interests. He says nothing has been done as yet toward building the lighthouse, and it is not known when work will commence." (Aberdeen Herald)
April 29, 1897: "Mr. Erickson, of Seattle, contractor of the lighthouse, is making his headquarters at the Aberdeen Hotel." (Aberdeen Herald)
June 3, 1897: "A shipload of rock from Bellingham bay has been received at Grays harbor for the lighthouse." (The Islander)
August 26, 1897: "The concrete foundation for the lighthouse, at Westport, is about completed. It consists of a solid mass of concrete 40 feet square and 12 feet thick. The stone and timber for the tower is about all cut to proper sizes and shapes, so that the building of it will now go forward rapidly." (The Islander)
October 21, 1897: "The unfinished top of the lighthouse at Westport may be seen from Hoquiam above the tree tops and clear day, if one knows just where to look for it. There remained, last week, ten feet of brickwork to be added to the top, and then will come the iron work consisting of two stories. The iron has all arrived, and been delivered on the ground. The whole structure, when completed, will be one hundred and twenty-three feet from the foundation." (Aberdeen Herald)
November 18, 1897: "The county has commenced suit for damages against C.J. Erickson, the lighthouse contractor, for injury to the Westport dock, claiming $150 damages. The injury to the dock is caused by fastening loaded scows to the piling, when the tide is running out, in such a manner as to loosen and pull them out." (Aberdeen Herald)
June 28, 1900: "D. McLafferty went to Seattle yesterday to give evidence in the federal court in the suit that grew out of the building of the lighthouse at Westport." (Aberdeen Herald)
May 30, 1907: "Capt. Frazier, lighthouse inspector for Washington and Oregon, went to Westport Tuesday to inspect the lighthouse on the point." (Aberdeen Herald)
October 21, 1909: "The lighthouse tender Heather came into Grays Harbor Tuesday with supplies for the lighthouse at the entrance. After attending to the needs there, the Heater steamed up to Aberdeen, where she lay until yesterday morning when she put to sea." (Aberdeen Herald)
October 27, 1914: "J.G. Cantwell, lighthouse inspector, was in the city yesterday, en route to Westport to inspect the lighthouse." (Aberdeen Herald)