Ocean
Shores lies on a 6,000 acre peninsula at the north entrance to Grays
Harbor. In 1792, Captain Robert Gray from Boston, entered the bay
and named it Bulfinch Harbor. It was later renamed Grays Harbor in
his honor. Matthew McGee wasthe original homesteader in the 1860's.
In
1878, A.O. Damon purchased the southern end of what was then Brown's
Point. Ralph Minard, grandson of Damon, bought the land in 1929 and
operated a cattle ranch. Photos from the 1950's of the Minard ranch
are on display in the museum.
In
1960, the Minards sold the 6000 acres to a group of investors for
one million dollars. It was shortly after that lots were sold through
major promotional advertising by Ocean Shores Estates. Singers Ginny
Simms and Pat Boone helped promote the new resort town. Ginny Simms
owned and operated the Ginny Simms Restaurant at the Ocean Shores
Inn. In 1994, it was torn down to make way for the new Shilo Inn.
Pat Boone hosted the golf classic for several years in the 1960's.
Many celebrities came to the classic which was televised by a local
Seattle TV station.
In
40+ years, Ocean Shores has become a major tourist destination in
the Pacific Northwest.
