Lilliwaup, Washington facts for kids

Lilliwaup is a small community in Mason County, Washington, United States. It's not an official city, but a place where people live together without a formal town government. You can find Lilliwaup on the western shore of Hood Canal, right where Lilliwaup Creek flows into the water. The main road, U.S. Route 101, goes right through this charming spot.

History of Lilliwaup

The name "Lilliwaup" comes from the Twana people. Their word /sləláwap/ means "cove" or "inlet." This perfectly describes the area where the community is located.

Early pioneers started settling in this area around 1854. The town was officially planned out and divided into plots in 1890. This was a time of exploration and growth in the Pacific Northwest.

The Olympic Exploring Expedition

In 1890, a group called the Olympic Exploring Expedition started their journey from Lilliwaup. This expedition was led by Joseph O'Neil. Their goal was to explore the Olympic Mountains and find a good path from Hood Canal to the Pacific Ocean.

The team left Lilliwaup in June 1890. They traveled west towards the North Fork Skokomish River and Lake Cushman. From there, smaller groups explored different parts of the mountains. One of these groups even made the first recorded climb of Mount Olympus! The main part of the expedition reached Hoquiam in October 1890.

O'Neil didn't find the easy path he hoped for. However, his expedition helped show how special the Olympic Mountains were. He strongly suggested that the area should become a national park, which it eventually did.

Town's Ups and Downs

When O'Neil's group first arrived in Lilliwaup in early 1890, it was very small. One member described it as "a town with one house." But by September of that same year, things had changed a lot. More than 30 families had moved in! Soon, Lilliwaup had a store and two hotels.

However, the company that owned the town's land later went bankrupt. Because of this, most of the new residents moved away.

By the 1920s, tourism started to bring new life to the region. A company called the Lilliwaup Land and Resort Company was created. There were even rumors that famous movie stars like Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin wanted to buy homes in Lilliwaup. But they never came, and the resort company eventually closed down.

Fun Things to Do in Lilliwaup

Lilliwaup is a great place for outdoor activities!

Fishing and Shellfish

A nearby fish hatchery makes sure the local waters are full of salmon. This brings many fishing fans to the area, especially in the fall. You can also find delicious Hood Canal oysters right on the shores.

Beach Activities

There's a public stairway that leads down to a beautiful round-rock beach. It's a perfect spot for a picnic with friends or family. You can also enjoy harvesting shellfish, fishing, or simply looking for interesting things along the shore.

See also

In Spanish: Lilliwaup (Washington) para niños