Forks in Clallam County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Welcome to Forks

Logging Capitol of the World

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 21, 2015

1. Welcome to Forks Marker

Inscription.
This Sitka Spruce log came from a tree which was 11’ 8” in diameter, or 37’ 1” in circumference, and 256’ tall. The tree was already 259 years old in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Sitka Spruce is native to the fog belt of North America’s west coast.

Erected 1977 by Forks Lions.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. 47° 57.051′ N, 124° 23.114′ W. Marker is in Forks, Washington, in Clallam County. It is on North Forks Avenue (U.S. 101) just north of East Division Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 61 North Forks Avenue, Forks WA 98331, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western

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Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Shay Locomotive (approx. ¼ mile away); Timber Transportation (approx. ¼ mile away); Forks Fire (approx. ¼ mile away).

More about this marker. Subtitle should read "Capital" rather than "Capitol" — a common mistake but literally transcribed here.

Also see . . .
1. Forks, Washington (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Timber around the prairie was cleared by settlers and small-time loggers in the late 19th century. They were followed by timber companies until the Olympic Forest Reserve was established in 1897 by the federal government. The forest reserve was gradually reduced in size but later contributed most of the land for Olympic National Monument (now Olympic National Park), which was established in 1909, and the Olympic National Forest. The U.S. Army sought to use the region's Sitka spruce to construct airplanes during World War I and built a 36-mile railroad to Port Angeles to aid in transport; the railroad was not used due to the end of the war. The local timber industry
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 21, 2015

2. Welcome to Forks Marker
Looking east from North Forks Avenue.
boomed from the 1950s to 1970s, earning Forks the self-proclaimed title of "Logging Capital of the World." Changes in environmental policy led to a significant decline in the timber industry in the 1980s and 1990s. Timber harvesting is still part of the local economy, but at levels far below the peak of the 1970s.

(Submitted on December 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: A large, coniferous, evergreen tree growing to just over 330 ft tall, with a trunk diameter at breast height that can exceed 16 ft. It is by far the largest species of spruce and the fifth-largest conifer in the world, the third-tallest tree species (after coast redwood and South Tibetan cypress), and one of only three species documented to exceed 330 ft in height. Its name is derived from the community of Sitka in southeast Alaska, where it is prevalent. Its range hugs the western coast of Canada and the US and continues south into northern California.

(Submitted on December 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.