Interpretation and history at Bottle Beach

History

Bottle Beach State Park is located on the historic town site of Ocosta. Near the end of the 19th century, plans were made to establish a deep water port in the Grays Harbor area. The Northern Pacific Railroad chose Ocosta for its Pacific Ocean terminus, thus providing an avenue for imports and exports to find their way by land. As the boom ensued, prospective investors from the east were solicited, "...nothing can prevent making this the most important harbor north of San Francisco, if not the chief harbor of this Pacific Coast," read an early advertisement.

Soon, the Ocosta settlement sprouted with a school, three hotels, three churches, a bank, post office, the Ocosta Lumber Company and the Ocosta Brewing Company. Aspirations for an ocean harbor soon deteriorated as an economic downturn, railroad realignmnet and sedimentation undermined the possibility of Ocosta becoming a principle port. Time slipped away as Ocosta by the Sea slowly became the landscape you see today.

Interpretive opportunities

The Bottle Beach Interpretive Trail consists of a trailhead and parking lot, 0.7 miles of ADA-accessible trail, three wildlife viewing platforms or blinds and approximately 9.5 acres of habitat restoration, including removal of invasive plant species and appropriate replacement of native plants. The facilities focus visitation on a carefully located and screened trail, and viewing platforms and blinds minimize disturbance to shorebirds. The site also includes interpretive panels to enrich the visitor experience and increase awareness of proper birding etiquette, such as keeping voices low and avoiding sudden movement.