Cathlamet, Wahkiakum County, Washington
 

"Cathlamet, a city on the Columbia River, in Wahkiakum County. Lewis and Clark, 1805-1806, wrote the name "Cathlamah." Rev. Myron Eells says the word is evidently from the Indian word calamet, meaning "stone," and was give to the river because it has a stony bed along its whole course. Henry Ganett says the name is from the tribe of Indians known as Kathlamet. The channel of the Columbia River north of Puget Island is known as Cathlamet Channel. Dr. W. Fraser Tolmie, of the Hudson's Bay Company, writes in 1833 of having arrived at Kahelamit village. " Origin of Washington Geographic Names 1923

Cathlamet, Washington-Cathlamet, the seat of justice of Wahkiakum county, Washington, is situated on the Columbia river, 71 miles from Portland and 17 miles this side of Astoria. It is a thriving little town of about 200 inhabitants and is one of the older established settlements along the river.      The principal industries of Cathlamet are lumbering and salmon canning. Located near are four large logging camps. One of the logging companies operates about four miles of railroad for hauling logs from the camps to the river. These logs are floated principally to the large sawmills at Portland. The Warrens' salmon cannery, located at Cathlamet, is one of the largest on the river. Cathlamet has a good school house and an excellent system of public instruction is maintained. Several large business houses are located at this point. The town is exceptionally well supplied with hotels. The McGrath House here, containing 25 rooms, is located within easy distance of the steamboat wharves, on high ground, and is supplied with pure, spring water conducted to the house through pipes. The transient rates at this house are $1 a day, with a rate to permanent guests of $5 a week. The Columbia Hotel has 32 bedrooms, besides a bar and billiard room. An excellent home table is et at this hotel and special attention is paid to commercial travelers. Transient rates at the Columbia are from $1 to $1.50 a day, with special rates to permanent guests of from $4.50 to $5.50 a week. The Oregonians Handbook of the Pacific Northwest, 1894

 

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