The Claquato Ghost Town (Exploring a Forgotten Pioneer Town) - Pacific Northwest History

[@erinlikesacornishpasty4703]

Poor little Claquato was abandoned after the railroad bypassed it and instead was built in nearby Chehalis. I really loved the old church! Have you ever been to Claquato?

[@kellihatch3620]

Thank you, I just loved the little church with the crown on top. I have probably driven right past it and not even noticed. I so appreciate you pointing out this historical experiences in the area.

[@searchingforhistory]

It's our pleasure, we love showing people the history that is all around us. We have more videos on western washington history and historic sites coming out, so stay tuned! Thanks for leaving a comment and thanks for watching the video!

[@ExploreTayo]

Another interesting historical nugget of the region, thanks for the tour!

[@searchingforhistory]

Glad you liked it. Next Sunday our video on the 1855-56 Puget Sound War comes out. Stay tuned!

[@ExploreTayo]

@@searchingforhistory ooh, wonderful!!

[@lgarcia4331]

It's a beautiful cemetery. Originally in the shape of a wagon wheel. I have many family members who are buried there.

[@searchingforhistory]

I can see the wagon wheel shape in an aerial photo. Cool, I never noticed that before. Thanks for watching!

[@YolandaPullman]

My hone town, Lewiston, Idaho has several historical parks, buildings, areas etc. Part of it is the Oregon Trail along the Clearwater River. There is also a younv pioneer childs grave marker in Forrest, Idaho (out of Lewiston via Waha or Winchester) across from the bar/grill, if its still there. Forrest is an old town as well. Last t I was there, there were only two original buildings standing. There were several abandoned houses in the pastures when i was growing up.

[@searchingforhistory]

We hope to get out to the Lewiston/Clarkston area to film videos sometime in 2025. What would you say is the best time of year to travel and camp in that part of Idaho/Washington? Thanks for the information about the Lewiston area and thanks for watching!

[@earthandtime5817]

Loved the intro… hi Thora. Have there been many archeological digs there? Would be curious what they found? The crown was so interesting. First for me. The cemetery was cool. I am always fascinated by them and the stories they contain. Thanks for another great episode and for teaching us something new about your area.

[@searchingforhistory]

To my knowledge, no. It's all private property. It would be interesting to look for evidence of the structures!

[@davidhaugen9966]

I think visiting Claquato you can try to get into the feeling of "pioneers", people new to the area. Somewhere it tells you they camped under the "Pioneer Tree"on their ways to find homes in the Washington Territory. That tree could be 200 years old which is something that is hard to find.

[@searchingforhistory]

It would be cool to find the Pioneer Tree reference. It is a very big tree!

[@RoadWarrior-ht1uw]

Another great video of Washington's hidden history. It is unknown to many that Claquato was a stage stop along the Military road between Monticello and Olympia. After the Military Road was completed in 1861, Henry Windsor who had a transportation company, started running stage coaches between Monticello and Olympia. Rice Tilley was one of the drivers. Windsor had built a livery stable and stage barn at Claquato and it became the third stopping point on the route north from Monticello. Elkanah Mills had kept the hotel, stage station and ferryboat running that accommodated the daily run of mail and passengers between Monticello and Olympia. The stage coach company, was later sold to Charley Granger of Olympia and A. L. Davis of Claquato and the last owner of the stage line was Mr. Coggins of Olympia. Settlers and travelers who could not afford to sleep in the hotels or if they were full, would camp out under an old fir tree located in the Claquato Cemetery. The "Pioneer Tree" as it is now called, has a wide spreading and low hanging branches that made it a good spot to get out of the hot sun or pouring rain. There is a plaque mounted on the tree marking the spot that so many had spent the night. Keep up the great work!!!

[@searchingforhistory]

Those are great history details about the stage between Monticello and Olympia. Thanks for sharing. I wonder if there is any remaining physical evidence of the stage route? Would be cool to see. Thanks for watching!

[@RoadWarrior-ht1uw]

@@searchingforhistory Yes there are quite a few places where you can see that old road. That would make a cool video. I have the route mapped.

[@searchingforhistory]

@@RoadWarrior-ht1uw That would be cool to see.

[@neilmarsh1904]

My old 'hood. I lived for several years about half a mile down Stearns Road from the Claquato Cemetery.

[@searchingforhistory]

I miss living in Lewis county!