Simpson Door Plant

July 28, 2016

Henry McCleary purchased the Chehalis Fir Door Co. in 1910 and moved the entire operation from Lewis County, including most of the workers, next to his mill (which was in present day Beerbower Park). When the door plant was constructed it was the last word in modern technology. The next 20 years would be a real boom period for the company town. McCleary also owned lumber operations in Shelton and Olympia.

Henry sold his one-man town to the Simpson Co. on the last day of 1941, including the company houses and utilities. The town incorporated in Jan. 1943.

Boat in a truck

July 28, 2012, Rainbow Park

Cinnabar moth caterpillar

July 27, 2016, Hemlock St. and Evergreen Pl.

The cinnabar moth is a natural enemy of tansy ragwort. The noxious weed is an invasive plant from Europe, and the moth, also from Europe, was introduced here on purpose a few decades ago as a way of biological control.  In the 1960s tansy seemed more out of control than it is today.


Big Morning Mist

July 27, 2016

Can't even see the smokestack.


Phone pole, Simpson Ave.

July 27, 2016

Mountain ash berries

July 27, 2015

Sixth and Simpson

The northwest corner, July 26, 2016

McCleary actually experiences a bit of gridlock at this intersection when the Simpson Co. workers change from day to swing shifts.