Quilcene, Washington
Encyclopedia
Quilcene is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Jefferson County
, Washington, United States
. The population was 591 at the 2000 census.
The community is located on the scenic Olympic Peninsula
along the seawater-filled glacial valley of the Hood Canal
. Each year many visitors enjoy the panoramic views of Mount Rainier
, Puget Sound
and Seattle from the summit of nearby Mount Walker, the only peak facing the Puget Sound that has a road to its summit. The Olympic National Forest
lands in Quilcene hold a wealth of Douglas-fir
, spring-blooming pacific rhododendron
s, Oregon-grape
, and salal
.
Quilcene oysters, named after the community, have an international reputation among restaurateurs. Quilcene has one of the largest oyster
hatcheries in the world. The canal's mild currents make it an ideal habitat for the oysters.
, and rarely invading other tribes. The Quilcene ("salt-water people") were a distinct band of these people.
The Wilkes Expedition charted the place as Kwil-sid in 1841. Hampden Cottle, a logger from Maine, and several other families settled there in 1860 and eventually established a town. The town was originally situated on the banks of the Quilcene river, before being moved to higher ground. The economy in Quilcene was based primarily on farming and logging and by 1880, had a population of 53.
The Tubal Cain Mining Company, in 1902, claimed that Quilcene would become the center for the smelting of iron, copper, gold, and manganese that was expected to be found in the Olympic Mountains, however little ore was ever discovered.
Circa 1910, Green's Shingle Mill was a large part of Quilcene's history.
, based in Quilcene, is a casual classical music
event featuring world-renowned musicians held at a turn-of-the-century dairy farm nestled on 55 acres (222,577.3 m²) of tranquil farmland. The Olympic Music Festival was voted "Best Classical Music Festival" by readers of The Seattle Weekly
. The music festival was founded in 1984 by Mr. Alan Iglitzin, originally intending the Festival to be a summer home for the Philadelphia String Quartet.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26.2 km²), of which, 9.8 square miles (25.3 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) of it (3.75%) is water.
The Big Quilcene River
and Little Quilcene River
both flow through the town and into the Quilcene Bay.
The nearby Olympic National Forest
lands Douglas-fir, blooming pacific rhododendrons in May and June, salal, and Oregon Grape. From the north viewpoint on the summit of Mount Walker, at 2804 feet, are vista views of Mount Jupiter, Buckhorn Mountain, Mount Constance
, Mount Baker
and the town of Quilcene.
Covering 155000 acres (627.3 km²) in the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula
is the Quilcene Ranger District. The area lies in the Olympic Mountains
rainshadow and contains some of the driest ecosystems on the Olympic Forest. The district includes alpine botanical wonderlands, several major rivers, and the 50000 acres (202.3 km²) Buckhorn Wilderness
. Recreation opportunities include hiking and interpretive trails, oyster beach, campgrounds, and a self guided auto tour. The Quilcene Ranger Station also serves as the North Hood Canal Visitors Center.
Two miles south of Quilcene and at the union of the Big Quilcene River and Penny Creek, covering slightly over 47 acres (190,202.4 m²), the Quilcene National Fish Hatchery has been operating since 1911. There, the US Fish and Wildlife Service raises coho salmon for on-station release as well as provides coho salmon eggs and fingerlings for tribal programs.
(Köppen climate classification
Cfb) and is almost categorised as part of the Csb climate category, receiving slightly more than 30 millimetres (1.2 in), the threshold for Cfb inclusion.
of 2000, there were 591 people, 243 households, and 156 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 60.6 people per square mile (23.4/km²). There were 284 housing units at an average density of 29.1/sq mi (11.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.77% White, 1.18% African American, 3.55% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races
, and 9.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.
There were 243 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples
living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,385, and the median income for a family was $45,313. Males had a median income of $36,500 versus $24,063 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $17,335. About 11.3% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Washington
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington, named after Thomas Jefferson. As of 2010, the population was 29,872. The county seat is at Port Townsend, which is also the county's only incorporated city....
, Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 591 at the 2000 census.
The community is located on the scenic Olympic Peninsula
Olympic Peninsula
The Olympic Peninsula is the large arm of land in western Washington state of the USA, that lies across Puget Sound from Seattle. It is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the east by Puget Sound. Cape Alava, the westernmost point in the contiguous...
along the seawater-filled glacial valley of the Hood Canal
Hood Canal
Hood Canal is a fjord forming the western lobe, and one of the four main basins, of Puget Sound in the state of Washington. Hood Canal is not a canal in the sense of being a man-made waterway—it is a natural waterway.-Geography:...
. Each year many visitors enjoy the panoramic views of Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located southeast of Seattle in the state of Washington, United States. It is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of . Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most...
, Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
and Seattle from the summit of nearby Mount Walker, the only peak facing the Puget Sound that has a road to its summit. The Olympic National Forest
Olympic National Forest
Olympic National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in Washington, USA. With an area of 633,677 acres , it nearly surrounds Olympic National Park and the Olympic Mountain range. Olympic National Forest contains parts of Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason counties...
lands in Quilcene hold a wealth of Douglas-fir
Douglas-fir
Douglas-fir is one of the English common names for evergreen coniferous trees of the genus Pseudotsuga in the family Pinaceae. Other common names include Douglas tree, and Oregon pine. There are five species, two in western North America, one in Mexico, and two in eastern Asia...
, spring-blooming pacific rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...
s, Oregon-grape
Oregon-grape
Oregon-grape is an evergreen shrub related to the barberry. Some authors place Mahonia in the barberry genus, Berberis...
, and salal
Salal
Gaultheria shallon is a leathery-leaved shrub in the heather family , native to western North America. In English it is known as salal, shallon, or in Britain simply Gaultheria.-Ecology:...
.
Quilcene oysters, named after the community, have an international reputation among restaurateurs. Quilcene has one of the largest oyster
Oyster
The word oyster is used as a common name for a number of distinct groups of bivalve molluscs which live in marine or brackish habitats. The valves are highly calcified....
hatcheries in the world. The canal's mild currents make it an ideal habitat for the oysters.
History
Early inhabitants of the area were the Twana, inhabiting the length of the Hood CanalHood Canal
Hood Canal is a fjord forming the western lobe, and one of the four main basins, of Puget Sound in the state of Washington. Hood Canal is not a canal in the sense of being a man-made waterway—it is a natural waterway.-Geography:...
, and rarely invading other tribes. The Quilcene ("salt-water people") were a distinct band of these people.
The Wilkes Expedition charted the place as Kwil-sid in 1841. Hampden Cottle, a logger from Maine, and several other families settled there in 1860 and eventually established a town. The town was originally situated on the banks of the Quilcene river, before being moved to higher ground. The economy in Quilcene was based primarily on farming and logging and by 1880, had a population of 53.
The Tubal Cain Mining Company, in 1902, claimed that Quilcene would become the center for the smelting of iron, copper, gold, and manganese that was expected to be found in the Olympic Mountains, however little ore was ever discovered.
Circa 1910, Green's Shingle Mill was a large part of Quilcene's history.
Culture
The Olympic Music FestivalOlympic Music Festival
Olympic Music Festival, based in Quilcene, Washington, is a casual classical music event featuring world-renowned musicians held in a barn nestled on 55 acres of farmland...
, based in Quilcene, is a casual classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
event featuring world-renowned musicians held at a turn-of-the-century dairy farm nestled on 55 acres (222,577.3 m²) of tranquil farmland. The Olympic Music Festival was voted "Best Classical Music Festival" by readers of The Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly
Seattle Weekly is a freely distributed newspaper in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded by Darrell Oldham and David Brewster as The Weekly...
. The music festival was founded in 1984 by Mr. Alan Iglitzin, originally intending the Festival to be a summer home for the Philadelphia String Quartet.
Geography
Quilcene is located at 47°49′55"N 122°53′7"W (47.831838, -122.885339).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 10.1 square miles (26.2 km²), of which, 9.8 square miles (25.3 km²) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km²) of it (3.75%) is water.
The Big Quilcene River
Big Quilcene River
The Big Quilcene River is a river on the Olympic Peninsula in the U.S. state of Washington. It rises in the Buckhorn Wilderness near Marmot Pass, south of Buckhorn Mountain, and near Mount Constance. It flows generally east through the Olympic Mountains and the Olympic National Forest. After...
and Little Quilcene River
Little Quilcene River
The Little Quilcene River is a river on the Olympic Peninsula in the U.S. state of Washington. It rises in Clallam County, near Mount Townsend of the Olympic Mountains. The river flows generally east through the Olympic National Forest. After exiting the higher mountains and the national forest the...
both flow through the town and into the Quilcene Bay.
The nearby Olympic National Forest
Olympic National Forest
Olympic National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in Washington, USA. With an area of 633,677 acres , it nearly surrounds Olympic National Park and the Olympic Mountain range. Olympic National Forest contains parts of Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason counties...
lands Douglas-fir, blooming pacific rhododendrons in May and June, salal, and Oregon Grape. From the north viewpoint on the summit of Mount Walker, at 2804 feet, are vista views of Mount Jupiter, Buckhorn Mountain, Mount Constance
Mount Constance
Mount Constance is a peak in the Olympic Mountains of Washington and the third highest in the range. It is the most visually prominent peak on Seattle's western skyline. Despite being almost as tall as the ice-clad Mount Olympus to the west, Mount Constance has little in the way of glaciers and...
, Mount Baker
Mount Baker
Mount Baker , also known as Koma Kulshan or simply Kulshan, is an active glaciated andesitic stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the North Cascades of Washington State in the United States. It is the second-most active volcano in the range after Mount Saint Helens...
and the town of Quilcene.
Covering 155000 acres (627.3 km²) in the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula
Olympic Peninsula
The Olympic Peninsula is the large arm of land in western Washington state of the USA, that lies across Puget Sound from Seattle. It is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the east by Puget Sound. Cape Alava, the westernmost point in the contiguous...
is the Quilcene Ranger District. The area lies in the Olympic Mountains
Olympic Mountains
The Olympic Mountains is a mountain range on the Olympic Peninsula of western Washington in the United States. The mountains, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges, are not especially high - Mount Olympus is the highest at - but the western slopes of the Olympics rise directly out of the Pacific...
rainshadow and contains some of the driest ecosystems on the Olympic Forest. The district includes alpine botanical wonderlands, several major rivers, and the 50000 acres (202.3 km²) Buckhorn Wilderness
Buckhorn Wilderness
The Buckhorn Wilderness is a mountainous wilderness area on the northeastern Olympic Peninsula in Washington, USA. Named after Buckhorn Mountain , the wilderness abuts the eastern boundary of Olympic National Park which includes nearby Mount Constance , Inner Constance , Warrior Peak , and Mount...
. Recreation opportunities include hiking and interpretive trails, oyster beach, campgrounds, and a self guided auto tour. The Quilcene Ranger Station also serves as the North Hood Canal Visitors Center.
Two miles south of Quilcene and at the union of the Big Quilcene River and Penny Creek, covering slightly over 47 acres (190,202.4 m²), the Quilcene National Fish Hatchery has been operating since 1911. There, the US Fish and Wildlife Service raises coho salmon for on-station release as well as provides coho salmon eggs and fingerlings for tribal programs.
Climate
Quilcene experiences an oceanic climateOceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Cfb) and is almost categorised as part of the Csb climate category, receiving slightly more than 30 millimetres (1.2 in), the threshold for Cfb inclusion.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 591 people, 243 households, and 156 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 60.6 people per square mile (23.4/km²). There were 284 housing units at an average density of 29.1/sq mi (11.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 84.77% White, 1.18% African American, 3.55% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 9.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.35% of the population.
There were 243 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,385, and the median income for a family was $45,313. Males had a median income of $36,500 versus $24,063 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $17,335. About 11.3% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.