Aberdeen,
Washington occupies the southern edge of the
Olympic Peninsula, where the
Chehalis and
Wishkah rivers meet. Located on the southwestern shores of WA, this
community, often called the “Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula”, incorporated in
1890. Aberdeen lies within
Grays Harbor County bordering the cities of
Cosmopolis and
Hoquiam.
Census 2000 recorded the population in Aberdeen as 16,461. Aberdeen, the
largest city in Grays Harbor County, has been the home of many notable residents
throughout the years. Aberdeen was the birthplace of the late
Kurt Cobain. Cobain found stardom as the leader of the alternative rock
grunge band “Nirvana”.
Other interesting people affiliated with Aberdeen include
John Elway and
Douglas Osheroff, a
Nobel Prize winning physicist.
Aberdeen has a burgeoning economy and serves as
the region’s economic center. While there is a variety of industries in
Aberdeen, the timber industry remains the lifeblood of the region. Timber
related employers include
Grays Harbor Paper,
Hoquiam Plywood, and
Sierra Pacific Industries. Other major employers include
Ocean Spray,
Safe Harbor Technology, and Washington Crab Products. Aberdeen also lies
within close proximity to the
Port of Grays Harbor. This busy Port experiences a great deal of commercial
traffic and is the future site of a modern biodiesel plant. Aberdeen’s business
community emphasizes the city as the largest retail center on the WA coast
(which has increased the tourism sector).
Aberdeen's numerous sites of historic interest
include the “Hawaiian
Chieftain” and “Lady
Washington”. Both tall ship replicas host demonstrations and tours during
their dock time at
Grays Harbor Historical Seaport. The
Aberdeen Museum features fascinating exhibits of 19th and 20th
century artifacts, which educate the public while preserving the region’s
heritage. Opened in 1890, the
Timberland Library was the local book depository for nearly 100 years.
Now housed in the Carnegie Building, the Timberland Library moved to its new
location in 1908. Sprinkled throughout the city are more than forty
historic murals. Aberdeen also has a walking tour of its stately old
homes.
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