Editing Tokeland, Washington

{{use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Tokeland, Washington
| settlement_type    = [[Census-designated place|CDP]]
| image_skyline      = Post office in Tokeland Washington 120102012.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Post office in Tokeland
| image_map          = Pacific_County_Washington_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Tokeland_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Tokeland, Washington
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Washington|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Pacific County, Washington|Pacific]]
<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 1.3
| area_land_km2      = 1.3
| area_water_km2     = 0.0
| area_total_sq_mi   = 0.5
| area_land_sq_mi    = 0.5
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.0
<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 158
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific (PST)]]
| utc_offset         = -8
| timezone_DST       = PDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -7
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 10
| coordinates        = {{coord|46|42|32|N|123|59|00|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
<!-- Area/postal codes and others -->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 98590
| area_code          = [[Area code 360|360]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 53-71680<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2409329<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2409329}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Tokeland''' is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in [[Pacific County, Washington|Pacific County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], United States. The population was 158 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], a slight increase from 151 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]]. It is located on the north side of [[Willapa Bay]] near the [[Shoalwater Bay Indian Reservation]].

The town was named after [[Chief Toke]], an chief of the [[Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe]] during the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web |title=Living, working, renewing Nature's best effort |url=http://www.visit.willapabay.org/pages/communities/tokeland.html |website=www.visit.willapabay.org |access-date=May 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010624142531/http://www.visit.willapabay.org/pages/communities/tokeland.html |archive-date=June 24, 2001 |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
Tokeland is named after [[Chief Toke]] of the [[Shoalwater Bay Tribe]]. Toke made the area a summer home for himself and his family, and his presence was first documented there by Lieutenant [[John Meares]] after Toke approached Meares' ship in his canoe at the mouth of [[Willapa Bay]] in 1788.<ref name="TokelandHotel">{{cite web |last1=McCausland |first1=Ruth |title=Tokeland Hotel: A History |url=http://www.tokelandhotel.com/history.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327230500/http://www.tokelandhotel.com/history.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 March 2016 |access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref>

In 1854, J. F. Barrows settled on Toke Point, but left only a few years later. No other known settlers appeared in the area until the arrival of George Brown in 1858.<ref name="TokelandHotel" /> In 1885, Brown's daughter Lizzie, and her husband, William Kindred, built a home that became the Kindred Inn, and eventually as the Tokeland Hotel.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Tokeland Hotel |url=https://www.tokelandhotel.com/our-history-1 |website=Tokeland Hotel |access-date=19 October 2019}}</ref> When the town's first post office was established in 1894, the Kindreds operated it, and continued doing so for 17 years. Lizzie Kindred was also partial owner of the Tokeland Oyster Company when it opened in 1905.<ref name="TokelandHotel" />

Tokeland became a popular enough destination that in 1910, a group of investors from [[Portland, Oregon]] sought to develop an amusement park there that would resemble [[Coney Island]], although these plans never materialized.<ref name="TokelandHotel" />

Similarly to [[North Cove, Washington|North Cove]] and other towns on the north side of [[Willapa Bay]], [[coastal erosion]] became a serious concern for Tokeland. This, combined with the overall economic pressure affecting the nation during [[The Great Depression]], caused a decline in the area's tourism industry in the 1930s and 1940s.<ref name="TokelandHotel" /> The area's economy received a small boost starting in the 1950s, as recreational boating and fishing, combined with a surge in once-dwindling oyster harvests, rekindled many businesses. This led to the [[Port of Willapa Harbor]] making many improvements to Tokeland, including the 1974 addition of a new jetty, moorage, boat ramp, timber seawall, and fish buying station.<ref>{{cite web |title=Port of Willapa Harbor |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/9500 |website=HistoryLink |access-date=19 October 2019}}</ref>

===Tsunami evacuation tower===

The Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe built a {{convert|50|foot|m|adj=mid| tall}} tsunami evacuation tower in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 9, 2022 |title=Coastal tribe builds tsunami refuge tower in SW Washington |url=https://katu.com/amp/news/local/coastal-tribe-builds-tsunami-refuge-tower-in-sw-washington-shoalwater-bay-indian-tribe-tokeland-wash-cascadia-fault-zone-pacific-northwest-fema-megathrust-eathquake |access-date=2022-08-09 |work=KATU}}</ref> The freestanding structure was built at a cost $5 million, $1.2 million supplied by the tribal council and an additional $3.8 million from the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency|Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)]]. The tower is considered the first of its type in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Libby Denkmann |author2=Tom Banse |author3=Jason Burrows |title=Exploring North America's first free-standing tsunami tower |url=https://www.kuow.org/stories/exploring-north-america-s-first-free-standing-tsunami-tower |access-date=December 2, 2022 |work=KUOW.org |date=August 10, 2022}}</ref> In honor of tribal elder Lee Shipman who guided the project to completion, the council bestowed the tower the nickname, "Auntie Lee".<ref name="TSU"/>

==Geography==
Tokeland is located in [[Willapa Bay]], by the mouth of the [[Cedar River (Willapa Bay)|Cedar River]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of 0.5&nbsp;square miles (1.3&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all of it land.

===Tsunami and inland flooding===
During early talks to build a tsunami evacuation tower, studies were undertaken by the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, in conjunction with several local, state, and federal agencies, that determined the Tokeland area could be hit by a tsunami {{convert|10|foot|m|adj=mid| tall}} within a range of 10 to 22 minutes after an ensuing high-magnitude earthquake.<ref name="TSU">{{cite news |last1=Zucco |first1=Erica |title=Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, partners unveil new tsunami evacuation tower |url=https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/environment/shoalwater-bay-indian-tribe-partners-tsunami-evacuation-tower/281-93dc187d-7fe7-4829-968c-6e0bfbee1a58 |access-date=December 2, 2022 |work=King 5 News (Seattle, Washington) |date=August 5, 2022}}</ref>

Construction on the tsunami evacuation tower, which is the first of its kind in the United States, was finished in 2022. It was nicknamed "Auntie Lee Tower" in honor of Tribal elder Lee Shipman who led the Tribe's effort to obtain funding and build the tower.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Celebrating nation's first tsunami vertical evacuation tower {{!}} Washington State Military Department, Citizens Serving Citizens with Pride & Tradition |url=https://mil.wa.gov/news/celebrating-nations-first-tsunami-vertical-evacuation-tower |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=Washington Military Department |language=en}}</ref> The tower's design drew inspiration from nearby [[Ocosta Elementary School]], which also doubles as a tsunami evacuation structure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-11 |title=Vertical evacuation structures offer escape from massive tsunami |url=https://www.king5.com/article/weather/earthquakes/washington-oregon-vertical-evacuation-structures-tsunami/281-22024c69-ced9-48aa-93e2-490cf7beba88 |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=king5.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Climate==
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6&nbsp;°F.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Tokeland has a [[Mediterranean climate#Warm-summer Mediterranean climate|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]], abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=23354&cityname=Tokeland%2C+Washington%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Tokeland, Washington]</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| footnote = US Decennial Census<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census">{{cite web |date=May 2023 |title=Census Bureau profile: Tokeland, Washington |url=https://data.census.gov/all?q=Tokeland%20CDP,%20Washington |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 12, 2024}}</ref>
| 2000 = 194
| 2010 = 151
| 2020 = 158
}}

=== 2000 census ===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 194 people, 89 households, and 50 families residing in the CDP. The [[population density]] was 379.0 people per square mile (146.9/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 197 housing units at an average density of 384.8/sq&nbsp;mi (149.1/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the CDP was 90.21% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.67% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.03% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 3.09% from two or more races. 43.0% were of [[United States|American]], 14.5% [[Irish people|Irish]], 9.2% [[French people|French]] and 5.7% [[Finns|Finnish]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]].

There were 89 households, out of which 21.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.8% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 34.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $24,531, and the median income for a family was $30,208. Males had a median income of $14,327 versus $0 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $12,170. About 39.0% of families and 49.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 83.3% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.

=== 2020 census ===
As of the 2020 census there were 158 people, 171 housing units, and 70 families in the CDP. There were 116 [[White Americans|White]] people, 1 [[African Americans|African American]], 17 [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]], 3 [[Asian Americans|Asians]], 2 people from some other race, and 19 people from two or more races. 11 people were of [[Hispanic or Latino]] origin.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Tokeland_CDP,_Washington?g=160XX00US5371680 |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

The ancestry of Tokeland was 15.1% [[Polish Americans|Polish]], 9.8% [[Norwegian Americans|Norwegian]], 5.9% [[Irish Americans|Irish]], and 3.9% [[German Americans|German]].<ref name=":0" />

The median age was 37 years old. 29.3% of the population spoke a language at home that was a 'other' language, i.e. not [[English language|English]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], nor [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] or an asian language. 24.9% of the population were older than 65, with 20% being between the ages of 65 and 74, and 4.9% being older than 85.<ref name=":0" />

The median household income was $19,167, and married couples had $28,611. 23.9% of the population were older than 65.<ref name=":0" />

==Arts and culture==
Tokeland is home to the [[Tokeland Hotel]], recognized as the oldest such venue in the state.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Varriano |first1=Jackie |title=Washington’s oldest hotel offers a peaceful escape — and delicious food |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/washingtons-oldest-hotel-offers-a-peaceful-escape-and-delicious-food/ |access-date=July 9, 2024 |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=July 6, 2024}}</ref> Built in 1899 as an addition to an existing farmhouse, the hotel began as the Kindred Inn and was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Pacific County, Washington|National Register of Historic Places]] in 1978.<ref>{{cite web |title=NRHP Nomination Form - Tokeland Hotel |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/df69feef-f947-49b7-8aeb-cb09a085b57a/ |publisher=[[National Park Service]] |access-date=July 9, 2024 |date=April 11, 1978}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Steamboats of Willapa Bay]]
* [[Willapa Bay]]

== References ==
<references/>

{{Pacific County, Washington}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in Pacific County, Washington]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Washington (state)]]