Nancy Hobbs
Jutting northward from the mouth of the Columbia River, the Long Beach
Peninsula defines Washington's southwestern coastal geography. The
picturesque blend of beach and forest along the river, Willapa Bay, and
the Pacific Ocean was home to the Chinook Indians who first settled this
region. European and American trade came to this area in the 18th
century, opening the way for Lewis and Clark to explore and establish a
land route to the Pacific. The region prospered because of its diverse
natural resources and thriving fur trade. Today, a vibrant tourist
industry fuels the Peninsula's continuing development.
