Forks, Washington

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Forks, Washington
settlement_type = City
nickname = Logging Capital of the World
website = [http://www.forkswashington.org/ www.forkswashington.org]

---

imagesize =
image_caption =

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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in the state of Washington


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Washington
subdivision_name2 = Clallam
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = August 28, 1945
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Nedra Reed
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 3.1
area_land_sq_mi = 3.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
area_water_percent =
area_total_km2 = 8.1
area_land_km2 = 8.1
area_water_km2 = 0.0
population_as_of = 2000
population_total = 3120
population_density_km2 = 386.1
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 47 |latm = 57 |lats = 4 |latNS = N
longd = 124 |longm = 23 |longs = 5 |longEW = W
elevation_ft = 300
elevation_m = 91
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 98331
area_code = 360
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 53-24810GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1519696GR|3
footnotes =

Forks is a city in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 3,120 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the forks in the nearby Quillayute River, Bogachiel River, Calawah River, and Sol Duc River.

For many years, the city's economy was fueled by the local timber industry. With recent declines in the industry, however, Forks has had to rely on the nearby Clallam Bay Correctional Center and Olympic Corrections Center as a source of jobs. Forks is a popular destination for sport fishers who fish for salmon and steelhead in nearby rivers. It is also supported by visitors to Olympic National Park. This city is the primary setting for the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer, where Forks is noted to be a wet but beautiful place.

History

Forks was officially incorporated on August 28, 1945 following an election of the constituents who would become its first town members.

Geography and climate

Forks is located at coor dms|47|57|4|N|124|23|5|W|city (47.950980, -124.384749).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.1 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,120 people, 1,169 households, and 792 families residing in the city. The population density was 998.6 people per square mile (386.1/km²). There were 1,361 housing units at an average density of 435.6/sq mi (168.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.47% White, 0.42% African American, 5.03% Native American, 1.51% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 8.49% from other races, and 2.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.54% of the population.

There were 1,169 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 111.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,280, and the median income for a family was $38,844. Males had a median income of $35,718 versus $23,690 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,686. About 14.6% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The City is organized under Washington State law as a Non-charter Code City. Its structure is that of an elected Mayor and a five member elected City Council. Unlike other cities on the Olympic Peninsula, Forks operates under what is called a "strong Mayor" form of government with the Mayor being the Chief Executive Officer overseeing four department heads (Clerk/Treasurer, Public Works, Police, and Legal/Planning). [ [http://www.forkswashington.org/ City of Forks Washington] ]

Forks Municipal Airport

Forks Municipal Airport is located in Clallam County, one mile (1.6 km) southwest of Forks. The Airport has 6 based aircraft, including 3 single-engine aircraft and 3 helicopters. The latest available data indicate that the Airport had a total of 13,550 annual operations.

Runway 4-22 is Forks Municipal Airport’s sole runway. This runway is convert|2400|ft|m long, convert|75|ft|m wide, is equipped with medium intensity runway lighting, and has an asphalt surface. Approaches to both ends of this runway are visual.

[ [http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/94A8DA72-7A1F-4771-B0E1-3EB73A6932AA/0/OR_Forks.pdf Forks Municipal Airport] ]

Tourism

On the South end of town is the Forks Timber Museum. Constructed in 1990 by the Forks High School carpentry class, the convert|3200|sqft|m2|sing=on building provides a fascinating look back into the local history of the timber industry, loggers of the past and their tools of the trade. The museum has exhibits depicting local history dating back to the 1870s. [ [http://www.forks-web.com/fg/timbermuseum.htm Forks Timer Museum] ]

Depending on the person, there are several things to do in Forks. For the teenage group there is a group called the Rainy Day Gamers. These gamers gather every Friday at the ICN Building located a couple blocks away from the stoplight at 71 North Spartan. [ [http://www.forksforum.com/calendar Forks Forum Calendar] ]

For others, Forks serves as the hub for numerous day excursions to the Hoh Rainforest, the Pacific Beaches, and various wilderness trails. The [http://www.forkswa.com/ Forks Chamber of Commerce] can provide visitors with additional details. In addition, the [http://www.nps.gov/olym/ Olympic National Park's Visitor Center] can provide NPS and USFS related information to help plan a trip - permits can also be obtained there as well.

A large percentage of Forks visitors are fans of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series who seek the attractions mentioned in the novels, and other related places such as La Push and Port Angeles. [ [http://www.forkswa.com/65.html Home of Twilight the Book by Stephenie Meyer- Forks Washington Chamber of Commerce ] ] The town has embraced fans of the books and its newfound popularity. Local restaurants have added "Twilight-themed" options to their menus, and the local hospital has reserved a parking space for "Dr. Cullen". [cite news | url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20080922/ap_tr_ge/travel_by_the_book_vampire_tourism | author=Whitney Malkin | title=Visitors flock to timber town for Twilight's magic | date=2008-09-22 | publisher=Yahoo! News | accessdate=2008-09-26 ]

Fishing

Forks is well known for its winter steelhead trout fishing with the Quillayute river system - the Hoh, Sol Duc, Bogachiel and Calawah rivers. Other nearby Clallam, Sekiu and Hoko rivers are also good for king salmon fishing and steelheading as well.

Local guides are available for both native and hatchery runs and for float trips. Fishing gear and clothing is available at local stores.

Tillicum Park

Forks Washington has a display of one of a very few Shay engines remaining in Washington. Shay locomotives are unusual in that they have a crank shaft running down the side, powering all wheels. Rayonier #10 (c/n 3348) was built for stock by Lima in 1930. It has three cylinders and three trucks. It took 11 years until it was finally sold to the Ozette Timber Company. In 1945 it was acquired by Rayonier for their lumber operation near Forks. It was retired near the north end of Forks in Tillicum Park in 1959. The City of Forks erected an attractive shelter over the #10 in 1999. [ [http://wasteam.railfan.net/parks.html Washington Parks and Static Displays] ] [Andrew Craig Magnuson [http://www.craigmagnuson.com/oldtrain.htm Lima 3-Truck Shay Forks, Clallam County, Washington] ] [ [http://www.forks-web.com/fg/anglers.htm Anglers Paradise] ]

Community events

Rainfest, a celebration of the arts sponsored by the West Olympic Council for the Arts, occurs in April and usually has a combination of arts and craft related events. In recent years there have been quilt classes and a quilt show sponsored by the Piece Makers Quilt Club.

In March of every year, the Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction occurs. This annual fundraising event raises tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships. Since the first scholarship award in 1964, to Robert Henry, D.D.S., the Committee has awarded over $1m in scholarships to Forks students.

In the Summer, Forks hosts its traditional "Old Fashioned Fourth of July" celebration with a Grand Fourth of July Parade with plenty of events to go to, including a demolition derby and a great fireworks display. July is also the month for Quileute Days at La Push with its parade, traditional salmon bake, bone games, softball tournament, canoe races, and street fair. In August, the Forks Family Festival combines arts and crafts vendors with children activities for a truly family oriented event.everyone can come and enjoy family fun

In late September, the Forks Chamber of Commerce partners with the Quileute Tribe and the City of Forks to host the Last Chance Fishing Derby at La Push with cash prizes being the enticement to those wanting to fish for salmon on the Pacific Ocean. The first week in October is when the community celebrates its heritage during Heritage Days. One of the more celebrated events during this week long festival is the "Old Timers Round Table" that is moderated conversation broadcast live via the local radio station involving long time residents of the region talking about days long past.

Twilight series

The "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer takes place in Forks. The main character, Bella Swan, reluctantly goes to Forks to attend high school, and visits real places in the town. The series has drawn an unusual amount of attention to Forks. According to Meyer, she didn't visit Forks until after "Twilight" was published and chose the town because it is said to be one of the rainiest places in the United States. She later visited Forks and was captivated by the beauty of the scenery surrounding it. She said it was so close to her Forks that it was as if she had stepped into the books, and she kept expecting Edward or Bella (the protagonists of her series) to walk around the corner. [ [http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight.html StephenieMeyer.com | Twilight Series | Twilight] ]

ee also

*Cape Flattery
*Olympic Mountains
*Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer

References

External links

* [http://pac.nols.org/ North Olympic Library System]
* [http://www.forkswa.com/ Forks Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.forkswashington.org/ The Official City Site for Forks, Washington]
* [http://www.forks.wednet.edu/fhsmain/index.htm Forks High School]
* [http://content.lib.washington.edu/cmpweb/index.html University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections – The Pacific Northwest Olympic Peninsula Community Museum] A web-based museum showcasing aspects of the rich history and culture of Washington State's Olympic Peninsula communities. Features cultural exhibits, curriculum packets and a searchable archive of over 12,000 items that includes historical photographs, audio recordings, videos, maps, diaries, reports and other documents.
** [http://content.lib.washington.edu/cmpweb/exhibits/forksfire/index.html Great Forks Fire] Online museum exhibit that documents the 1951 fire in Forks, Washington, which destroyed 38,000 acres (150 km²).
** [http://content.lib.washington.edu/cmpweb/exhibits/pwb/index.html People without Borders] Online museum exhibit that highlights the culture and history of Latinos in Forks, Washington.
* [http://www.stevekuo.com/forks/Forks_Demolition_Derby_2007_part1.html Pictures from 2007's Forks annual July 4th demolition derby]