Westside Stories

This past Sunday, I had the privilege of being one of several descendants of Carl and Amanda Hansen to visit what remains of the town site of Frankfort, on the Lower Columbia River. On our way to the town site we caught views of the river, the Astoria Megler Bridge, the surrounding valleys, filled with blooming foxglove. At the end of the road, we hiked along a well-kept path to reach the lush spot by the river where we spent the afternoon.

I did some research with Angela Metcalf from the Appelo Archive before our outing. Frankfort was located between Knappton and Grays Bay along the banks of the Columbia River. It was hard to believe that the overgrown landscape once hosted a thriving town filled with potential. Here's a brief summary of its history: Frank Bourn and Frank Scott established the Frankfort Land Company in April 1890. The town plat was filed shortly after featuring an extensive layout for streets lined with homes and businesses, fueled by the promise of the railroads bringing their tracks through the town.

In an advertisement in The Morning Oregonian on January 1, 1891, Frankfort on the Columbia was described as "Situated near the mouth of the great river of the West, on the Washington side, and possessing harbor facilities unexcelled anywhere on the Pacific Coast north of San Francisco, the young city of Frankfort will soon assume an important position among the cities of the most prosperous states in the Union. Almost inexhaustible agricultural, timber, and mineral resources are the chief characteristics of the country tributary to Frankfort, which, within a comparatively short time, will be the terminus of three major transcontinental railroads. Frankfort presents an opportunity for safe and profitable investment seldom equaled in Washington, and in order to hasten the development of the city and encourage the introduction of new enterprises, choice business and residential sites will be offered for sale for a limited time at prices that are sure to attract attention. Special inducements will be given for manufacturing of all kinds."

A few years later, when the railroads decided to lay their tracks elsewhere, the town turned into a fishing village. It had homes, a hotel, a post office, and even a newspaper.

Over the years, the population declined until eventually, only a few people remained. A story shared by our family patriarch, Allan Wirkkala, during our visit described homes being deserted, with linens and silverware still left on the dining room tables. Over time, a group of ornery loggers moved into the abandoned houses. Among the remnants was a grand piano left behind by the residents. The loggers used this piano as a fireplace, and a small piece of its remains is now displayed on the wall in the museum at the Appelo Archives Center.

Allan also recalled a visit he made in the 1950s with his father and uncles to salvage lumber from their grandparents' house, Carl and Amanda, for use in a new home being built in Rosburg. Some of that wood was likely used to build the family homestead where my mom grew up on Raistakka Road.

A fortunate few still own small plots of land in the Frankfort area, including my second cousin, the talented Carl Wirkkala. He brought his guitar and performed a song he wrote to honor the town. In his song about Frankfort he sings, "Is anybody here, waiting for me? Can you recall a forgotten son? Only the shadows underneath the trees speak to me with a silent tongue. Going back to Frankfort, going back alone. Going back to Frankfort, going back home."

After a delightful afternoon filled with a picnic lunch and sharing stories of days gone by, we concluded our trip with a group photo of all the descendants present, including members of the Wirkkala, Haataja, Ervest, and Laine families. It was a unique experience I will not soon forget.

Westside Happenings

On July 12 and 13, the Knappton Cove Heritage Center at 521 State Route 401 will host its annual Lewis & Clark Encampment. This family-friendly living history program features costumed members of the Pacific Northwest Living Historians, who will demonstrate the tools and skills used by the explorers during their historic expedition. Admission is free.

Please remember that the West Wahkiakum Farmers Market opens on Friday, July 11, at Rosburg Hall from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. A wide variety of high-quality products and produce will be available for purchase. Vendors offering fresh vegetables, fruit, and honey will accept WIC and SENIOR FMNP cards from the Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

July

11 – West Wahkiakum Farmers Market Opening

Day at Rosburg Hall, 1 – 4 p.m.

11 – Tsuga Gallery Anniversary

Celebration, 4 – 6 p.m.

12 & 13 – Lewis & Clark Encampment at

Knappton Cove Heritage Center

16 – Build a Terrarium at Naselle Library, 1 p.m.

23 – Meet YA Author Vanessa L. Torres at

Naselle Library, 11 a.m.

23 – Stomp Rockets at Naselle Library, 1 p.m.

26 – Celebrating Finnish Heritage at Appelo

Archives Center, 12 – 4 p.m.

26 – enTaiko at Naselle Library, 11 a.m.

30 – All ages Pour Painting at Naselle

Library, 1 p.m.

August

9 – Ice Cream & Egg Hunt Party at

Naselle Library, 1 p.m.

15 –Meet Children's Author Ellie Peterson at

Naselle Library, 11 a.m.

For a list of regular monthly events, please refer to the Wahkiakum Calendar. To include an event on the calendar or provide feedback, please don't hesitate to contact me at writerlisayeager@outlook.com. You can also follow me on Facebook @ Writer Lisa Yeager.