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Cosmopolis, which means, "city of the world," was the site of the first Indian Treaty meeting in this area. Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens and 14 aides met with 350 Indians representing most of the coastal Indian people, including the Chinook, Quinault, Satsop, upper Chehalis, lower Chehalis, and Cowlitz. The treaty was not signed because several Indian groups, while willing to sell much of their land, were unwilling to sell burial grounds and favored sites, nor would they agree to be moved to a reserve on the Quinault.
Generally, the credit for founding Cosmopolis goes to David Byles and Austin Young, along with James and Henry Karr and Ed Campbell. In 1866 they built the first Grays Harbor industry, a brickyard, in Cosmopolis.
The first sawmill on the harbor was also established in the "city of the world," in 1881. It was from this mill the first shipload of lumber was exported. Cosmopolis became a company town because of the large Pope and Talbot mill. Established in 1888, it operated as the Grays Harbor Mill Company until 1892 when the name was changed to the Grays Harbor Commercial Company. Today, Weyerhaeuser stands on this site.
Neil Cooney worked his way to the top, becoming Grays Harbor Mill foreman in 1890, general manager in 1913, and in 1920 he became the owner of this immense enterprise. Before his association with the mill Cooney was involved in ship building in Cosmopolis, building the Montesano and Chehalis stern-wheelers. Known as a hard and unfair employer, he ruled his mill and his town with an iron fist.
The town site was platted in the early 1860s and incorporated in 1891. George Stetson, general manager of the Grays Harbor mill, became the first mayor. In 1929 a great fire destroyed two main business blocks, recession hit the nation, and the great mill permanently closed.
POINTS OF INTEREST -
- Mural of Treaty Negotiations: this is the site of the first Indian treaty meeting on the coast. Chehalis Indian Campground: Is the former site on the Chehalis River of a favorite fishing and living area for the Chehalis Tribe.
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