Hopefully, throughout the summer we'll occasionally post information on free or nearly free things to visit of historical interest to both grown ups and kids alike. One of my all time favorite places in the Camp 6 Logging Museum located in Tacoma's Point Defiance Park. Much of the standing exhibits had been donated by major Northwest logging companies in the mid 1960's as way to centrally locate relic's from a forgotten era, with an educational twist. Most of the pieces are non-operational and statically displayed, quietly rusting under our soggy skies, with no restoration planned
The exhibit is free to walk around and have a look and includes several steam donkeys (sort an early winch and hauling system), old rolling bunkhouses, and other derelict and long forgotten pieces. The museum is host to two very rare pieces of equipment, a vintage shay geared locomotive, non operational and stored in shed that you can see it on weekends when camp staff open it for viewing.
The other piece is a giant geared and cabled hulk used to winch Mount St Helens timber to a loading platform. The lingerwood skidder was built in the tideflats in 1929, owned by Weyerhauser it's the last remaining in the world of three built...and we have it here in Tacoma! A true rusting tribute to Tacoma's engineering past that you have to see to believe.
Yes, the camp is free, but I recommend the 15 minute train ride as it comes complete with a bearded conductor and his rendition of camp life and equipment history that you'll surely enjoy, it will only set you back a few bucks. Your ride benefits the camps continued operation as they recieve no other funds (city, county, metro parks, federal) your ride and donations help keep the place going. I was also told if you can grow a gray beard, there maybe room for you at the throttle of this sweet little locomotive...volunteers are needed. Another little bonus the camp has been on the National Historic Register since 1973 and is a 501 (3)(C)
A true rusting tribute to Tacoma's engineering past that you have to see to believe.
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