Back in 1884, Samuel Benn founded the town of Aberdeen, which quickly became (and has remained) the economic center of Grays Harbor County.  It is called the "Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula", but is more famous for being the "Birthplace of Grunge", and the home town of Nirvana members Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic.

Aberdeen was named after a local Salmon Cannery, which itself is named after the Aberdeen in Scotland, because like a cannery in the elder Aberdeen, it was located at the mouth of two rivers.

By 1900, Aberdeen was one of the grittier towns on the West Coast, with many saloons, brothels, and gambling establishments.  It was known as the "Port of missing men", because of its high murder rate.
 

Aberdeen is one of those places that reminds me of my old hometown... Old.

It has the look of a town that's been around a while, and one that has seen better economic times.   Its cleaning itself up, but things really have regressed, especially since the Clinton Administration put restrictions on logging.  That hit the area VERY hard.

A senator promised to help the region if they voted for her... they did, and she managed to get the city a grant for new sidewalks... because new sidewalks fixes everything. 

To me, one of the charms of the city is the rail road, which pushed the development of the area, still runs along side the roadway leading into the downtown area. 

Several shops are set up with a distinct flair about them... I really like places like that!

Of course, more modern facilities are also available.  There's several shopping areas in the city limits, including the only Mall in Grays Harbor County.
 

The Gateway of the "Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula".  This bridge takes you over one of the two rivers that empty into the Harbor where the city was established.

The river plays an important role in the economic structure of the town.  Aberdeen is the largest port in the Harbor, and the rivers also supports several lumber mills, and timber shipping operations.
 

A new hotel overlooks the river, which has an assortment of buildings that point to the city's past and developing future.
 

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