The Ocean Observer, brain child of my hero and early Ocean Shores icon, Bob Ward was published in the 60’s as a way to keep Ocean Shores in the limelight as this tiny Washington Coast hamlet was getting off the ground!
October 2, 1964: In this edition you’ll learn where the postmistress was headed on vacation, the proposal for bringing banking to the beach, a tongue-in-cheek birth announcement and other interesting historic tidbits. Enjoy!
Plan National Bank For North Beach Area
Opening of a new bank somewhere on the North Beaches appeared to be a very warm possibility this week.
First official proposal for the bank was made to the North Beach Chamber of Commerce, about a week ago, by Ben De St. Croix, executive officer of the Thurston County Bank at Tenino.
Friday of last week St. Croix returned to Ocean Shores, to confer with Ray Neal and other business men in the community, and to inspect the area along with Bill Batdorf, Chief National Bank Examiner in Seattle for the office of the Comptroller of Currency.
St. Croix has proposed that a national bank be chartered in the Ocean Shores area, and for this, the approval of the Comptroller of Currency is needed.
If the examiner, after inspecting an area, finds favorably, the federal government normally issues a permit to begin financing of the bank — raising of money locally.
St. Croix said the plan for a North Beaches bank would involve subscription of $300,000. Of this, $200,000 would be for capital stock, $50,00 for surplus, and $50,000 listed as undivided profits.
Residents of the area would be asked to subscribe to 4,000 shares of stock, of $50 par value, although the selling price would be $75.
The Thurston County Bank, in eight years, has increased its total assets from $780,000 to $2,500,000, St. Croix said. The bank has a branch in Yelm and is planning another in Olympia, it was understood.
“The North Beach area has more people, more businesses, and more potential than Tenino,” St. Croix said. “There is a need for a bank here, and no reason why it should not be successful and profitable, as well as a service to the communities.”
Ocean Shores itself is St. Croix’s preference for a site, he said primarily because of the apparent future growth potential.
At the outset, the bank would be concerned primarily with short-term loans, on such things as automobiles and home-improvement loans, St. Croix said. Long-term loans, on such items as new houses would come later.
–side note: The date of this publication was 1964 at which time the Tenino-Oakville Bank (est. 1909) had already been renamed as The Thurston County bank. Later, in 1972, it was renamed again as Bank of Olympia which was then acquired by Puget Sound National Bank in 1981. PSNB was ultimately acquired by Keybank of Washington in 1993 and closed its doors for good in 2007.
Keeneys Off For Month Tour of U.S.
Marion Keeney, Pacific Beach postmistress and long-time publisher of the weekly TIDE, is off on a four-week tour of the country.
With her husband, Leo, assorted baggage, and a new car compass to navigate by, Mrs. Keeney departed Thursday. With the Kenney’s went their son, Mark, and Linda Gardiner, of Aloha.
The travelers headed first for Butte, Montana where Marion was born, and which she has not seen for 30 years. Also on the route, Oldsburg, Kan., north of Manhattan, where Leo was born.
With those out of the way, the travelers will try to see Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, New York, Washington DC, Arlington, VA., and other scenic and historic attractions.
In Arlington, the Kenneys will visit with Don and Betty McGuire. Don, a Navy Commander was C.O. of the Pacific Beach Naval Base until his retirement.
from October 18 – 23 Mrs. Keeney will be in Cincinnati, Ohio, attending the convention of the National League of Postmasters, of which she is Washington State President.
Fun Fact:
Rock used around the North Jetty was quarried in the Cascades and hauled by barge down the Chehalis River to Point Brown, then by rail trestle to the harbor mouth.
Fall Ceramics Classes Start
Ceramics classes, for adults and youngsters as well, will be conducted again this fall at Green’s Ceramics, in Ocean City. Last year nearly 40 students were enrolled. Classes will be held each Wednesday and Thursday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. and on Thursday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m.
Four kilns will be available, according to Mrs. Green, and students can make and bake anything from an ashtray to a full size Space Needle (although that will have to be baked in parts.)
Weitzel Firm Competes Job
An eight-pound boy, Michael Paul was born to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Weitzel, Jr., of Ocean Shores September 25.
Weitzel who is superintendent for Carroll Construction at Ocean Shores, promptly made up an announcement in the form of a building specifications sheet.
The “firm” of Weitzel and Weitzel, Engineers and Builders, lists Paul Weitzel Jr., as Design Engineer and Mary Lou Weitzel as Construction Engineer. The announcement said in part:
“…Weitzel & Weitzel completed their firs major project in strict accordance with the contract plans and specifications and in conformity with the best practices of the industry. We are quite proud of this project, numbering it among the most advanced design of its type to be found. We therefore feel quite confident in guaranteeing it against defects in workmanship and materials for life.”
Young Michael Paul weighted 8 pounds and was 21 inches long at birth. He has black eyes and black hair.
Surprise! Surprise!
You are invited! It’s a surprise Anniversary Party for Mr. & Mrs. Leo LaBranche. Saturday October 3rd at 8 p.m. at the Lions Club Hall.
As our invitations got lost, we are inserting this in the TIDE as you’re all most welcome to come and join us. Remember it’s a surprise. Given by their kids.
‘Upside Down’ Houses Make Sense for Beach
Houses that are built “upside down” show signs of becoming the hottest new building trend at Ocean Shores.
This doesn’t mean that the homes are built topsy-turvy, or that the owners have to walk on the ceiling. The “upside down” house simply has its bedrooms downstairs and its kitchen, living room, and daytime living space on the upper story.
Why? Very simple. This way the owners can have their ocean view all day long. And on our flat beaches, the elevation of just 10 or 15 feet means a sweeping view in all directions.
The Sunset I, built by Axel Wickstrom, is the first moderately priced “upside down” home at Ocean Shores.
Before the home was even completed, it was sold by Glen McKinney, to Mr and Mrs. Frank Robbins of Arcadia, Calif.
Sunset I, is the first of a series Wickstrom plans to construct along the same general design. The living area and kitchen are on the second floor, the bedroom and bath on an intermediate level, and the closed garage, utility area and entrance on the ground floor.
“It may sound backward,” says Wickstrom. “But when a house is built this way, the owners can easily enjoy the canal, the ocean, and the golf course from their living room window, or from the sundeck, which is also on the second level.
Wickstrom said this kind of elevated living might develop into an island trend, as well, especially in the hilly northwest where good views abound.
The quick success of the Sunset model prompted Wickstrom to plan and begin construction of a larger version, Sunset II, to be built in Division 3. Sunset II will have two bedrooms and more elaborate interior trim.
Fun Fact
Grays Harbor was originally named Bulfinch Harbor by Capt. Robert Gray, in honor of one of the owners of his ship, the Columbia. It was Capt. George Vancouver who first called it “Gray’s Harbor” and the name stuck.
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