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.
Overview