Montesano, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Montesano, Washington
City
City hall on North Main Street
Location of Montesano, Washington
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Grays Harbor
Incorporated	November 26, 1883
Area
• Total	10.54 sq mi (27.30 km2)
• Land	10.38 sq mi (26.89 km2)
• Water	0.16 sq mi (0.40 km2)
Elevation	66 ft (20 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,138
• Estimate  (2022)	4,166
• Density	390.25/sq mi (150.67/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98563
Area code	360
FIPS code	53-46895
GNIS feature ID	1511681

Montesano is a city in Washington, United States. It is the main city and county seat of Grays Harbor County. In 2020, about 4,138 people lived there.

History

How Montesano Began

Montesano started to take shape in 1870. A man named Samuel Henry Williams bought land in an area called Medcalf Prairie. This area was named after an early settler, William Medcalf. Around the same time, Charles Newton Byles bought a farm and planned out some streets. This was the start of the town. Montesano officially became a city on November 26, 1883.

The Name Montesano

Before the town was officially formed, the name Montesano referred to the home of Isaiah Lancaster Scammon and his wife Lorinda. Their home was a key stopping point for early travelers along the Chehalis River. It was also the furthest point upriver where large ships could dock.

In 1860, the main office for what was then called Chehalis County moved to the Scammon home. Lorinda Scammon wanted to name the place "Mount Zion" because she was very religious. But another early settler, Samuel James, suggested "Montesano." This name comes from Spanish and means "mountain of health." People thought it sounded nicer and had a similar meaning. The name was approved, and soon a post office opened with the name "Montesano." In 1886, the county seat moved to the new town of Montesano, and the Scammon home became known as South Montesano.

Geography

Montesano is located on the north side of the Chehalis River valley. It is close to where the Wynoochee River meets the Chehalis River. To the north, the town is next to Lake Sylvia. Sylvia Creek borders the town on the west.

The city covers a total area of about 10.58 square miles (27.30 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Climate

Montesano has an oceanic climate. This means it has warm, but not hot, and fairly dry summers. The autumns and springs are very wet due to winds from the ocean. Even though summers can be dry, there is still some rain. Winters usually have small frosts, but the ocean's influence keeps the weather from getting too cold.

Demographics

Population in 2010

In 2010, Montesano had 3,976 people living in 1,563 households. About 31% of these households had children under 18. The average age of people in the city was 41.4 years old. About 22% of residents were under 18, and 16% were 65 or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (49.2%) and females (50.8%).

Arts and Culture

Festivals and Events

Montesano hosts an annual Festival of Lights during the winter holidays. A big part of the event is the Grand Parade. Other fun activities include tours of old decorated homes, a lighting contest, and an arts and crafts show. There's also a special play area for kids, food stands, a "jingle bell jog," and storytelling. You can even take tours of the county courthouse and see its murals.

Historic Buildings and Sites

A famous building in Montesano is the Grays Harbor County Courthouse, built in 1911. It's a three-story building with a round tower on top. Inside, you can see murals that show local history.

Parks and Recreation

In the northern part of Montesano, you'll find Lake Sylvia State Park. The Wynooche Valley Road starts in Montesano and follows the Wynoochee River. This road is a way to get to the southern part of the Olympic Mountains and a section of Olympic National Park.

Infrastructure

Montesano has worked on protecting its wastewater treatment plant from floods. This plant cleans the city's water. In 2018-2019, special structures called "log jacks" were put in place. These helped to strengthen the riverbank of the Wynoochee River, which was getting too close to the plant. This project cost about $2 million, but it saved a lot more money by preventing future flood damage and keeping the community safe from sewage spills. It also helped improve the living areas for fish and other water animals.

Notable Residents

Montesano has been home to many interesting people:

• Reuben Hollis Fleet (1887–1975) was born and grew up in Montesano. He was a pioneer in aviation and a businessman. He helped start the first Airmail Service in the U.S. and founded Consolidated Aircraft. This company made famous planes like the PBY Catalina flying boat and the B-24 Liberator bomber during World War II. Montesano's Fleet Park and Fleet Street are named in honor of his family.
• Robert "Bob" Gaston Moch (1914–2005) was also born and raised here. He was the coxswain (the person who steers) for the University of Washington's rowing team. His team won a gold medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin!
• Kurt Cobain (1967–1994), the lead singer and guitarist for the band Nirvana, lived in Montesano as a child.
• Jerry Lambert (born 1957) grew up in Montesano and went to Montesano High School. He is an actor known for his roles in TV shows and commercials.
• Adam Bighill (born 1988) is a football player who graduated from Montesano High School. He has played for teams like the New Orleans Saints and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He has won the Grey Cup multiple times and has been named the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player several times.
• Fran Polsfoot (1928–1985) was an American football player for the Chicago Cardinals and Washington Redskins. He played in the Pro Bowl in 1951. Later, he coached receivers for different NFL teams.
• Blanche Pennick (1905–1991) was a Washington State legislator and an educator.
• The famous band Melvins was formed in Montesano in 1983. The founding members, Buzz Osborne, Matt Lukin, and Mike Dillard, all attended Montesano High School.

Images for kids

• 

  A lumber company's locomotive in Montesano, around 1921

• 

  Grays Harbor County Courthouse

See also

In Spanish: Montesano (Washington) para niños