Visit Lake Sylvia State Park and the Grays Harbor County Courthouse in Montesano

NorthBeachVacation.com

MONTESANO AND LAKE SYLVIA STATE PARK

Lake Sylvia lies two miles off highway 12 at Montesano. A
sign on the highway and signs through the town lead you to it.
The park has a pretty lake bisected by a bridge, two
launching spots for kayaks and canoes, a picnic area on the
shore, a swimming area with beach, a playground, a
campground, and hiking trails that lead around the lake and
into the surrounding forest. It makes a nice stop along the
drive between the ocean and the inland population centers.

On the way to the park, you will notice the historic Grays
Harbor County Courthouse, built in 1910-11. Montesano is
the county seat. The beautiful exterior with clock tower is
pictured at right. The interior features murals of the
discovery of the harbor by Captain Gray and other local
historical events. Large staircases ascend three levels up to
the courtrooms. From the second and third levels you can
view the ceiling frescoes of female allegorical figures
(Justice, Prosperity, etc.). The interior is lavishly decorated
in marble, mosaic tile, brass light fixtures, and beautiful
woodwork. There are no tours of the building, but you are
free to wander the public areas, including the courtrooms.

Neighborhoods surrounding the courthouse contain many
beautiful Victorian style and other historic homes.

History of Montesano
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montesano,_Washington

Lake Sylvia State Park
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Lake+
Sylvia

by Bob Kelly
bobkelly1964@yahoo.com
http://www.BobsPacificBeachHouse.com

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Copula of the Grays Harbor County Courthouse

Governor Stevens Treaty with the Indians at Cosmopolis