Diamond Point - Washington Ghost Town

DIAMOND POINT

NAME: Diamond Point
COUNTY: Clallam
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 6
CLIMATE: Cool winter and summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS: On the water.
REMAINS: Pilings of the old wharf and a storage building.

The history of Diamond Point was not that of a town but of a quarantine station of the United States Government. It had its beginning around 1858 and its chief responsibility at the time was to care for merchant seamen. At this time, there were no federal government quarantine regulations. That would come in 1878 after a severe yellow fever epidemic nationwide. In the meantime, quarantine was a city or state matter before the federal government took over the responsibility. In 1893, Diamond Point became an official quarantine station of the U.S. Government. All ships entering Puget Sound had to stop at Diamond Point. Sailors arriving from tropical ports often brought smallpox or plague. Other diseases included yellow fever, typhus fever, cholera, leprosy and anthrax. Ships were fumigated for mosquitos that carried yellow fever, a well as rats for plague. In 1933, the facility at Diamond Point was declared unsuitable and a new station was built at Point Hudson. In 1936, Diamond Point was declared surplus and sold to private parties. Today, Diamond Point is a beautiful real estate development with an airstrip. Still remaining are the pilings of the old wharf and a storage building. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

The history of Diamond Point was not that of a town but of a quarantine station of the United States Government. It had its beginning around 1858 and its chief responsibility at the time was to care for merchant seamen. At this time, there were no federal government quarantine regulations. That would come in 1878 after a severe yellow fever epidemic nationwide. In the meantime, quarantine was a city or state matter before the federal government took over the responsibility. In 1893, Diamond Point became an official quarantine station of the U.S. Government. All ships entering Puget Sound had to stop at Diamond Point. Sailors arriving from tropical ports often brought smallpox or plague. Other diseases included yellow fever, typhus fever, cholera, leprosy and anthrax. Ships were fumigated for mosquitos that carried yellow fever, a well as rats for plague. In 1933, the facility at Diamond Point was declared unsuitable and a new station was built at Point Hudson. In 1936, Diamond Point was declared surplus and sold to private parties. Today, Diamond Point is a beautiful real estate development with an airstrip. Still remaining are the pilings of the old wharf and a storage building. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

BACK