Neah Bay, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neah Bay, Washington
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Location of Neah Bay, Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Clallam |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.4 sq mi (6.1 km2) |
| • Land | 2.4 sq mi (6.1 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 935 |
| • Density | 335.8/sq mi (129.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
98357
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| Area code | 360 |
| FIPS code | 53-48295 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1512497 |
Neah Bay is a small community in Washington State, located on the Makah Reservation. It's part of Clallam County in the United States. In 2020, about 935 people lived there. Neah Bay is very close to the border with British Columbia, Canada.
Long ago, Europeans called this place "Scarborough Harbour." This was to honor Captain James Scarborough. Later, in 1847, Captain Henry Kellett changed the name to "Neah Bay." The name "Neah" comes from the Makah Chief Dee-ah. In the Klallam language, "Dee-ah" sounds like "Neah."
Today, Neah Bay is a popular spot for fishing, especially in the summer. Many people also visit the Makah Museum. This museum shows amazing items from an old Makah village. This village was partly covered by a mudslide around 1750. Visitors also enjoy hiking the Cape Trail or camping at Hobuck Beach. An important rescue boat, called an emergency response tug, is also based here. It has saved many ships since 1999.
Contents
Exploring Neah Bay's Location
Neah Bay is located at 48°21′56″N 124°36′56″W / 48.36556°N 124.61556°W. It covers about 2.4 square miles (6.1 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the community itself. Neah Bay is about 160 miles northwest of Seattle, a major city in Washington.
Weather in Neah Bay
Neah Bay has an oceanic climate. This means it has mild temperatures all year round. Summers are cool and winters are mild. August is usually the warmest month, and December is the coldest.
A Look at Neah Bay's People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 865 | — | |
| 2020 | 935 | 8.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 865 people living in Neah Bay. By 2020, the population grew to 935. Most people in Neah Bay are Native American, making up about 77% of the population in 2010. About 12% were White.
Many households in Neah Bay have children under 18. The average age of people living here is about 29 years old.
A Glimpse into Neah Bay's Past
The name "Neah" comes from the Makah Chief Dee-ah. The bay itself was named "Neah" in the early 1800s. Before that, it had other names. In 1788, a British trader named Captain Charles Duncan explored the bay. He did not give it a name. In 1790, Manuel Quimper claimed the bay for Spain. He named it "Bahía de Núñez Gaona."
In 1792, Salvador Fidalgo tried to build a Spanish fort here, but it failed. Later, American traders called it "Poverty Cove." In 1841, the United States Exploring Expedition mapped the area. They called it "Scarborough Harbour." This was to honor Captain James Scarborough. The word "Neah" first appeared on a map for an island nearby, now called Waadah Island. Finally, in 1847, Captain Henry Kellett officially named the bay "Neah Bay."
In 1929, a company called the Neah Bay Dock Company owned a dock and a hotel in the area.
Neah Bay's Economy and Activities
The main ways people make a living in Neah Bay are through fishing and tourism. During the summer, many sports fishermen come to Neah Bay. If you want to visit the Makah land, you need to buy a special permit. It costs US$20 and is good for the whole year.
People enjoy fishing for many types of fish here. These include ling cod, rockfish, and salmon. Neah Bay is especially famous for halibut fishing. The halibut season in the United States usually lasts only a few days in May and June. This is because there's a limit on how much can be caught. Some fishermen go into Canadian waters to fish for halibut when the U.S. season is closed.
Popular fishing spots include "The Garbage Dump" and Swiftsure Bank. Larger boats might travel even further out into the ocean to places like Blue Dot.
Culture and Attractions in Neah Bay
The most important place to visit in Neah Bay is the Makah Museum. It holds many old items from a Makah village. This village was buried by a mudslide around 1750 at Ozette. The museum helps us understand how the Makah people lived long ago. It has a copy of a traditional longhouse, canoes, baskets, and tools for whaling and fishing.
Besides the museum, many visitors enjoy hiking the Cape Trail. Others like to camp at Hobuck Beach. While camping, people often go surfing and fishing.
The Coast Guard in Neah Bay
The United States Coast Guard has a base in Neah Bay. This base is on the Makah Indian reservation. The Coast Guard works here to help with search and rescue missions. They also protect the environment and enforce maritime laws.
There is even a Coast Guard ship named Neah Bay. It is stationed in Cleveland, Ohio.
Famous People from Neah Bay
- Edward Eugene Claplanhoo — He was a leader of the Makah Tribal Council. He was the first Makah person to graduate from college. He also helped create the Makah Museum.
- Peter DePoe — He was a drummer for the Native American rock band Redbone.
- Bob Greene — He was one of the last Makah veterans who fought in World War II.
- Ben Johnson — He was a former leader and member of the Makah Tribal Council.
Images for kids
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Panoramic view of the Makah Marina at Neah Bay
See also
In Spanish: Neah Bay (Washington) para niños
