Forest, Washington
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Forest, Washington | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 46°35′56″N 122°51′28″W / 46.59889°N 122.85778°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Washington |
County | Lewis |
Elevation | [1]305 ft (93 m) |
Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
zip code | 98532 |
Area code | 360 |
Forest is an unincorporated community in Lewis County, in the U.S. state of Washington.[1] It is located on Jackson Highway, between the Port of Chehalis and Washington State Route 508 (SR 508).
Etymology[edit]
Two reliable but differing accounts of the name of Forest exist. One theory is based on the old-growth timber that grew in the area, while a second option posits that the moniker was cast after an early school teacher in the community, John T. Forrest.[2]
History[edit]
The area was first settled by a non-native family, the Berniers, in the 1850s.[3] Forest was founded in the 1890s and was referred to as Newaukum Prairie.[1][4] Due to the town's location on Highway 99, Forest was see as a crossroads community where it was often used as a rest stop and a communal gathering spot for nearby residents. The early community once had a grist mill that began after 1875 but burned down in 1913. An open field located near the town was used as a makeshift airfield in the early 20th century during the beginnings of flight.[2]
Post office[edit]
A post office was established in Forest's historic Trodahl store[2] and named in 1896 by the first postmaster, Amanda Monroe.[a] It was moved in 1897, remaining in operation until 1934.[4][5][6]
Geography[edit]
Forest is located at the confluence of the north and south forks of the Newaukum River. The area is referred to as a crossroads community due it's location on Jackson Highway (previously part of U.S. Route 99) and an arterial that leads to Alpha and SR 508. The crossing was known as "Stinky's Corner". It is situated between Chehalis to the north, and the communities of Klaus and Mary's Corner to the south.[3][2]
Arts and culture[edit]
At the intersection of North Fork Road and Jackson Highway is the Trodahl store, an historic building first constructed in the 1880s and used as a stage stop and inn. The structure was expanded in the 1890s with an addition of an attached residence. In the 20th century it became a general store known as the Trodahl, lasting until the 1980s, and eventually as a convenience mart beginning the following decade.[2]
Education[edit]
Forest was home to a two-room schoolhouse in the early 1900s and the building contained a belfry.[2]
Government and politics[edit]
Politics[edit]
Forest is recognized as being majority Republican and conservative.
The results for the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election for the Forest voting district were as follows:[7]
- Donald J. Trump (Republican) - 530 (75.18%)
- Joe Biden (Democrat) - 160 (22.70%)
- Jo Jorgensen (Libertarian) - 7 (0.99%)
- Other candidates - 4 (0.57%)
- Write-in candidate - 4 (0.57%)
Notes[edit]
- ^ Records also list a W.R. Monroe
References[edit]
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Forest, Washington
- ^ a b c d e f Mittge, Brian (April 6, 2002). "If Towns Could Talk - Towns Once Bastions Of Highway Commerce". The Chronicle. p. 22. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Mittge, Brian (April 3, 2004). "After 101 Years, Family still down home on the farm". The Chronicle. pp. 9, 10. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Meany, Edmond S. (1923). Origin of Washington geographic names. Seattle: University of Washington Press. p. 88.
- ^ "Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- ^ "Lewis County - Forest". jtenlen.drizzlehosting.com/walewis/townsal.html. Lewis Co. WA GenWeb Project.
- ^ "Lewis County 2020 Election". Results.Vote.WA. Retrieved July 25, 2021.