Copalis Beach History
The Indian tribe Copalis belonged to the coastal division of the Salishan linguistic family and occupied the area of Copalis River and the Pacific
Coast between the mouth of Joe Creek and Grays Harbor. In 1805 Lewis and Clark estimated a population of 200 Copalis in 10 houses. The 5 individuals
assigned to a "Chepalis" tribe in an enumeration given by Olson of the year 1888 probably refers to them.
First white people settled in the 1890's. Copalis and the beach of the same name, have become famed as the "Home of the razor clam."
The fame seems justified. The community sits near the northern end of probably the greatest razor clam bed in the world for the flavor renowned
variety abounds, apparently only in the Pacific Northwest, and particularly on Copalis Beach. During the commercial season, Copalis' normal
population of about 350 persons, leaped four-fold.
During 1947 and 1948, commercial diggers took more than a million pounds of bi-valves from Copalis Beach, earned themselves approximately
$200,000.00 and brought huge additional sums to cannery men and workers. Tourists dug thousands of pounds more.
But the clam is not Copalis' only drawing card. The beach is ideal for bathers, and motorists can drive their cars along miles of hard packed sand.
In fact, before the highway came, all supplies were shipped by boat to Oyehut and hauled to Copalis over the same beach.
The long beach has embraced, during the past half century, the hulls of dozens of ships, ranging from four-masted schooners to steel freighters,
after they were driven ashore by Pacific storms.
These days, Copalis Beach is a very small picturesque ocean front town. As you head north along SR 109, you'll see the Green Lantern tavern and Vendors
Village in Copalis Beach. They are both operated by Patty Seaman. The Vendors Village is a group of small log cabins hand built by local contractor
Gary Hulet of Humptulips. In the summer, these unique cabins have vendors selling jewelry, craft items and carvings. During the winter, Patty uses
the cabins for special events for the local kids at Halloween and Christmas. You can find Prime Rib dinner specials at the adjoining Green Lantern,
shoot some pool or just relax and watch the baseball game on TV.
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