Hoquiam, Washington

Hoquiam is a city on Hoquiam River in Grays Harbor County, Washington. Incorporated in 1890, the former lumber town has a current population of about 8,700. Lumber provided Hoquiam's primary industry through the mid-20th century, and wood products still play a role in the current economy. Among the city's notable employers are Rayonier Forest Resources, Ocean Protein, LLC and Westport Shipyard. Recent forays into "green" technologies have met with variable success. Grays Harbor Paper, a recycled paper company with roots in a 1928 pulp mill, recently announced a permanent closure. Biodiesel fuel manufacturers Imperium Renewables, which had experienced financial difficulties, recently restarted its Hoquiam facility.

Hoquiam was named in 1867 in order to establish a post office. Hoquiam's first mill, the North Western Lumber Company, began operations in 1882. Additional mills were slow to follow, largely due to lack of rail access, although smaller business supporting the mill flourished. The E.K. Wood Company was the only other lumber mill until 1899, when the Northern Pacific Railroad connected to the neighboring town of Aberdeen. The railroad's arrival brought a boom in lumber mills and logging operations in the early 20th century, including such companies as Hoquiam Lumber and Shingle Company, Grays Harbor Lumber Company, and the Polson Logging Company. At its height, Polson's holdings included two sawmills, two mansions, a dozen logging camps, private rail lines and more. In the 1920s, new technology increased production at Hoquiam's mills, but also brought a higher number of injuries and deaths among the workers. By the 1930s, labor difficulties, decreased demand and competition had nearly ended the lumber industry in Hoquiam. The local economy has slowly recovered and diversified, but the era of the lumber barons is past.

Hoquiam has a lengthy history of industry in fields known for their use of asbestos-containing materials. Workers exposed to asbestos may be at risk for mesothelioma, a cancer of the lungs. For your convenience, we have listed mesothelioma cancer centers located in or near Hoquiam at the bottom of this page. If you were exposed to asbestos in Hoquiam, you may benefit from seeking the advice of an asbestos attorney.

Jobsites in Hoquiam where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in Hoquiam, WA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near Hoquiam, WA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of Hoquiam, WA. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.

Mesothelioma Doctors Near Hoquiam, WA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors who are located within a 100 mile radius of Hoquiam, WA. Please click on a doctor link to obtain more information about his/her background, areas of expertise, professional affiliations and office locations.