Hoodsport

Hoodsport is a census-designated place (CDP) in Mason County, Washington, United States.[1] The population was 376 at the 2010 census. Hoodsport is located along the Hood Canal, at the intersection of U.S. Route 101 and State Route 119. Lake Cushman is 5 miles (8.0 km) up the road on State Route 119. Hoodsport is the gateway to the Staircase area of the Olympic National Park.

The first white person to settle at Hoodsport was G.K. Robbins, a ship captain who had been transporting lumber along Hood Canal for years. Other settlers soon joined him, forming a small community. Most occupied themselves with farming or logging. The town was officially platted in 1890 by the Mason County Mine and Development Company, which owned manganese mines near Lake Cushman. Prospectors found evidence of copper in the area and over 400 mining claims were filed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nearly all claims failed to yield.[2]

Hoodsport is renowned among SCUBA divers as a staging area to view the giant Pacific octopus. Local marine preserves such as Octopus Hole[3] and Sund Rock offer divers the chance to see octopus, as well as wolf eels, rock fish, plumose anemones and other marine life.[4]

This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hoodsport has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.[5]

The Model T pub and eatery is a family owned establishment on the corner of state route 119 and hwy 101. Dr. Brian Oleson has been the family dentist in the area for almost 35 years as of 2022, his wife Alma also works in the office. Hoodsport Coffee Company is the place for hand dipped "Olympic Mountain Ice cream" which was founded close by in the "Skokomish valley" by the Black family. Geri and Mike Purvis own Hood Canal Grocery and Hood Canal Outfitters (local ACE store) and Gas station all in one but started out with the gas station and have expanded to what it is now. Nina's Cafe is a restaurant 2 miles up 119 right next to the "Cushman Store".

The Hoodsport Winery is located about one mile south of town. Other Hoodsport businesses include a grocery store with gas station, a hardware store, four restaurants, an espresso shop, two real estate offices, a dentist, a post office, a beauty salon, a marina, and several tourism-oriented gift shops. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife operates a fish hatchery in town. The Hoodsport branch of the Timberland Regional Library overlooks the town.[6]

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