There are also stories of legends and historic figures as varied as Bigfoot, serial killer Billy Gohl, hunted outlaw John Tornow, and Kurt Cobain, lead singer and songwriter of the grunge band Nirvana. The books include those about lumber mills and logging camps, as well as the early years working at the port and fishing in the ocean.

Other outlets in Grays Harbor include each of the Dennis Company stores, Valu Drug and Pick Rite Thriftway in Montesano, Elma Pharmacy and East County Thriftway in Elma Shop ‘n Kart and Twin Harbor Drug in Westport Grayland Hardware and Forks Outfitters. They are available for purchase as are the more recently published local interest and history books in racks near the cashier. In fact, right after getting a whiff of freshly baked pies, visitors to Duffy’s first notice rows of rare local historic books displayed behind glass shelves in the restaurant’s lobby. So now in addition to running his popular restaurant, he owns Duffy’s Wholesale Books, which supplies history and local interest books to some 25 small stores primarily from the Columbia River to Forks, as well as at Duffy’s Restaurant. So, when the opportunity came to buy a small book distributing business in about 1990, he jumped at the opportunity. He put them up for sale in the Hoquiam Duffy’s Restaurant (which was sold years ago) and was surprised by the response. I listened to stories of old Aberdeen all the time and was always fascinated,” says Larson, 79.Īfter the Wishkah Cookhouse Restaurant in Aberdeen closed decades ago, Larson bought a box of local interest books for $10 at an auction.

And, just like his passion for good food and conversation, the owner of Duffy’s Restaurant in Aberdeen, relishes sharing Grays Harbor’s fascinating history with others. For third-generation Grays Harbor resident Ralph Larson, history has always been a passion.

Beast-man by Michael Fredson