History at Port Angeles, Clallam County, Washington

This historical scene of Port Angeles, Clallam County, Washington, was photographed by 1910. This scene is looking east along Front Street, from the southwest corner of the intersection of Front Street and Laurel Street. The man shown near the right edge of the photograph is walking across Laurel Street, which crosses Front Street in the foreground of this photograph. When this scene was photographed, the downtown city streets were dirt roads, and the sidewalks were wooden boardwalks. Note the dog lying in the middle of Front Street. Times were definitely much slower paced back then!

This historical scene of Port Angeles, Clallam County, Washington, was also photographed by about 1910. This parade scene is looking east along Front Street. The parade is likely a Flag Day celebration organized by the Port Angeles Elks Lodge No. 353. In 1907, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.) was first to designate June 14 as Flag Day. Over a half dozen American flags can be seen in this photograph, and some of the buildings along the parade route are also decorated with pleated fan banners and bunting, undoubtedly in patriotic red, white, and blue colors. The sign banner hanging over Front Street, at what appears to be the start of the parade route, says “Naval Lodge B.P.O.E. 353”. The next sign banner hanging over the parade route says “Ball Game Today 3 p.m. Tacoma - Angeles”. The tall power pole shown to the right of the top center of the photograph is on the northwest corner of the intersection of Front Street and Laurel Street. The Merchants Hotel can also be seen on this same street corner. The two-story building with the awning, across Laurel Street to the east from the Merchants Hotel, was at the time of the photograph, the Kirschberg Clothing Company. The same clothing store can also be seen on the far left side of the top photograph.

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Andrew Craig Magnuson
Forks, Washington
March 7, 2005