Quote of the Month:
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
Population: 60,497
Area: 1,051 square miles
County Seat: Shelton
OVERVIEW
Mason County is a county in Washington State. The territory of the county is 1,051 square miles, and the population is 60,497. The county borders with Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce, Thurston and Grays Harbor Counties.
The largest city of the county and its’ county seat is Shelton. Mason County provides great recreational opportunities. Tourists and residents of the county have the opportunity to visit Olympic National Park and numerous lakes that are found here.
HISTORY
Mason County was formed out of King County in 1854. Originally, it was named Sawamish, but in 1864 was renamed in honor of Charles H. Mason, who was the first Secretary of Washington Territory.
COUNTY SEAT
Shelton is the largest and one of the most beautiful cities in Washington State. It is the most western city on Puget Sound. Officially, the city was incorporated in 1890 and originally, it was called Sheltonville. The city was named in honor of David Shelton.
The main parts of the economy of the city are such fields as farming, logging, dairying, ranching and oyster cultivation. Shelton is also known as the Christmas Tree Capital.
ATTRACTIONS
Olympic National Forest
The Olympic Peninsula is the land of diversity. On the west it borders with the Pacific Ocean, on the east with the Hood canal and on the north with the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and at the same time it is home for majestic Olympic Mountains.
The main attraction on the peninsula is the Olympic National Park, but there are so many other destinations and places to visit around the area.
The Olympic National Park is a great place to visit with its sunny beaches, green rain forests, snow-capped mountains and a great variety of flora and fauna. The main characteristic of the park is wilderness, though many roads and trails will provide access to the most visited places.
The must see of the Olympic National Park is Hurricane Ridge. It is an easy trip that will take visitors to 5, 200 feet elevation. Numerous trails open great views on spectacular Olympic Mountains and their white glaciers, breathtaking view on the Strait of Juan de Fuca and stunning alpine meadows. Some of these trails are very easy and others are very difficult, but all of them give the opportunity to feel the real beauty of this region.
Squaxin Island
Squaxin Island is located in the westernmost part of Puget Sound in Mason County. This island is a reservation of Native American Squaxin Island Tribe. The territory of the island is 2.216 square miles.
Mason Lake
Mason Lake is about 1000 acres in size with 10.9 miles of beautiful shoreline. Mason Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in the county. Tourists find here wonderful opportunities for boating, fishing, jet skiing and water skiing. A county park which is located around the lake offers possibilities for swimming, picnicing etc.
Information: Marina Petrova
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