Westport is a small community on the central Washington coast that has a storied past.  Westport, originally home of the Chehalis Tribe, was settled by Euro-American settlers in 1857.  By the late 1870s, the area was discovered to be a potential recreational area.  Hotels were built, land was platted and the harbor side was named Westport Beach.  In 1897 a lifesaving station was opened and one year later the Grays Harbor Lighthouse began its service.

Fishing has always been an important part of life in Westport and the charter fishing fleet grew from the 40's through the 70's - the fleet peaked at over 250 registered charter vessels in 1972.  At the height of the charter fishing industry, Westport routinely received 15,000 visitors a weekend, as taking a fishing trip was a rite of passage for many young men and their fathers in the Pacific Northwest .

Later in the 70's, fishing began to decline because of the Boldt decision, which gave Native Americans the right to half of the fishery resources.  Following the Boldt decision, fishing seasons were shortened and stringent limits were placed on fisherman.  The decline of fishing, along with the changing legislation affecting the timber industry throughout Grays Harbor, caused an economic downturn in Westport that lasted for 20 years.

Westport is like a town that was stopped in time.  Despite fantastic infrastructure, development came to a standstill from the 1970's through the 1990's, as residents struggled to make the fishing industry work for them despite regulatory challenges.  In the past 5 years, Westport has experienced a revival as a tourist destination, marketing its wealth of natural resources - 19 miles of sandy beaches, a world class marina and all the fun those attractions entail.

Because of the unique history of the area, there is an unprecedented opportunity to participate in the renaissance of this beautiful oceanside town.