Claquato - Washington Ghost Town

CLAQUATO

NAME: Claquato
COUNTY: Lewis
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 6
CLIMATE: Cool winter and summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS: See the church.
REMAINS: The cemetery and the church.

The oldest building still standing in the state of Washington can be found in Claquato. It is a small church and was built in the 1850s by the town's early settlers. Credit for founding the town goes to Lewis Hawkins Davis who came west in1852 from Indiana. As time passed, Claquato became a lumber town with a sawmill built by Davis who insisted the first buildings be those that would contribute to the growth of the town. The first was a courthouse finished in 1862. The town continued to prosper under the leadership of Davis until his death in 1864. He died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall at his mill. Many towns and settlements died when bypassed by the railroad. Such was the case with Claquato when rails were laid in 1874. Claquato was officially removed from the county records in 1902. When visiting, be sure to see the gigantic and historic Pioneer FirTree located in the center of Claquato cemetery. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

The oldest building still standing in the state of Washington can be found in Claquato. It is a small church and was built in the 1850s by the town's early settlers. Credit for founding the town goes to Lewis Hawkins Davis who came west in1852 from Indiana. As time passed, Claquato became a lumber town with a sawmill built by Davis who insisted the first buildings be those that would contribute to the growth of the town. The first was a courthouse finished in 1862. The town continued to prosper under the leadership of Davis until his death in 1864. He died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall at his mill. Many towns and settlements died when bypassed by the railroad. Such was the case with Claquato when rails were laid in 1874. Claquato was officially removed from the county records in 1902. When visiting, be sure to see the gigantic and historic Pioneer FirTree located in the center of Claquato cemetery. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

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