Our Town
McCleary is a friendly town, where the Great Olympic Peninsula provides a perpetual timber harvest. You will find homes, land, commercial and rental property for sale in most of the Grays Harbor area, parts of Mason and Thurston Counties, and in other areas. Here's a zoning map.
In the recent past through studies and recruitment efforts, McCleary has put forth a concerted effort to become a multi-industry town. Although the harvesting and processing of wood products continues to drive the local economy, economic diversity remains a major community goal.
Congestion, the lack of available land and escalating land prices in the high-growth areas of the Puget Sound Basin and the I-5 Corridor promise a bright future for McCleary, as its attractiveness for commercial and industrial development increases.
The City administration has prepared for the diversification of the economy of McCleary and Eastern Grays Harbor County, through annexation and appropriate zoning, and diversification is beginning; with a bit of help from State and Federal economic development initiatives.
McCleary is the home of the famous International McCleary Second Growth and Bear Festival. The Bear Festival is usually held the second weekend of July. A life-sized statue of a bear is a featured attraction atop City Hall.
This is a very good area for recreational activities. Hiking, jogging, swimming, fishing, hunting, motorbike and horseback riding, camping, and photography are all enjoyed in our area. Summit Lake is located approximately ten minutes away. The timber companies open their land for recreational use and the Department of Natural Resources has a large area that abuts on McCleary and is open to the public. The ORV (off-road-vehicle) park located outside McCleary, East of town, is temporarily closed. Nearby Elma has an 18-hole golf course open to the public. The Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds with Pavilion horse and auto race track is located ten minutes away. There is a privately-owned and operated airport for small aircraft and ultralights only seven miles away.
Seven-acre Beerbower Park in downtown McCleary provides playground equipment for the children, picnic tables, barbecue and kitchen area, and restrooms. It features a locomotive which was purchased by Henry McCleary in 1905 and sold to Simpson Timber Company, which donated it to the City in 1962. A well-lighted baseball field, tennis court, and basketball court are used freely by all.
The Community Center, west of downtown McCleary and bordering the city cemetery, provides a building at low rent for community meetings and other uses. A small park and playground are also at this site. A large VFW Hall with kitchen facilities is a popular center for many occasions.
The McCleary Hotel, built in 1912 by town founder Henry McCleary to house special guests, provides an historic setting for dinners, weddings, receptions and other memorable occasions. Overnight guests enjoy rooms, most with private baths, and all with original furniture and fixtures.
McCleary Museum at Carnell House has been in existence only a few years, but has a good display and information on the early history of the McCleary area and logging in eastern Grays Harbor County. The museum is staffed and supported by volunteers from the community. The museum is open between noon and 4 pm weekends during the Summer only. Guided group tours are available throughout the year by arrangement. Call (360) 495-3670.
Population figures for unincorporated and incorporated Grays Harbor County and McCleary are as follows:
| Area | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 |
| Grays Harbor County | 59,553 | 66,314 | 64,175 | 67,194 |
| (Unincorporated) | 20,836 | 24,627 | 25,000 | 25,578 |
| (Incorporated) | 38,717 | 41,687 | 39,175 | 41,616 |
| McCleary | 1,265 | 1,419 | 1,473 | 1,454 |
| Check the Grays Harbor
Council of Governments site for: Historical Decennial Populations for Grays Harbor County 1890 to 2000. Additional McCleary Demographics. |
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About as many people who live in McCleary, reside inside the surrounding area. McCleary is a very rural community. This is the second smallest of the incorporated towns or cities in the eastern part of Grays Harbor County. The community consists of families, skilled workers, and retirees. Residents work in McCleary and surrounding cities. McCleary boasts numerous talented artists and craftsmen among its residents.
The residents of McCleary are friendly, hard working, honest, civic minded, care about one another and are always willing to give a helping hand to their neighbor, church or civic organization in the community. The residents and businesses of McCleary work well together and support our town government and local McCleary Community Chamber of Commerce. Businesses, community residents and town government are united, motivated, making positive advancements. The City of McCleary and its residents are the benefactors.
McCleary's main industry and largest employer is Simpson Door Company - McCleary Operations - which produces stile and rail solid wood doors. The operation has 350 employees and uses both Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock lumber in the door manufacturing process. The plant has been operating in McCleary since 1912 and many of the employees have had several generations of their families precede them in employment. Most doors are sold in the United States and some are exported to both Western Europe and the Orient. Tours of the plant are available by appointment.
There are many types of businesses in McCleary and the surrounding area, including a grocery and hardware store, two gas stations, pharmacy and liquor store, auction, credit union, and bank. There are several restaurants and a drive-through burger house. A number of cottage industries and home-based businesses are well established in the community. Several McCleary businesses specialize in using or recycling timber industry byproducts.
Infrastructure improvements ($4.5 million) to a proposed 320-acre industrial area near the Highway 108 bypass are included in the county's list of prioritized projects.
Average property tax levies within the county range from $9.67-$15.42 per $1,000 assessed valuation (in the 1990s), depending upon the municipality. Washington State sales tax is 7.9% in unincorporated areas, with surcharges in some incorporated areas. Most food sales are not taxable in Washington State, and Washington has no state income tax.
Additional information about Employment and Income.
Grays Harbor has a maritime climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The urban area temperature averages a high of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 50 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. In winter, the high averages 48 degrees Fahrenheit and the low 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Approximately 78 percent of all precipitation falls from October to March. The growing season is approximately 200 days long. Average relative humidity in mid-afternoon is 65 to 70 percent. We do get some heavy rain in the winter months. In 1989 nearby Elma had 71 inches annual rainfall.
McCleary is a uniquely quiet town with very moderate traffic, fresh clean air, mild climate, surrounded by beautiful tall green fir, hemlock, spruce, cedar and alder trees, lush green ferns and wild mushrooms and berries. There is very little crime.
The streets are all named, lighted, and buildings are numbered. In the rural area are horse and cattle ranches, pig farms, Arabian horse stables, beekeepers, and small farms.
There are many fine homes, commercial properties, investment properties, and an industrial area. There are 120 acres available for industrial development, the railroad and road network is in place, and adequate water, sewer and electrical power and phone service can be provided by the City of McCleary or the Grays Harbor PUD.
There is room for new homes and industrial sites and an invitation is extended to all who seek a better location where living costs and climate are favorable.
McCleary School District is a non-high school district with grades Kindergarten through eight. They have their own web site. The high school students attend Elma High School seven miles to the West. Over the years, a close working relationship has developed between the two school districts. Bus transportation is provided by the District.
Montesano Community Education offers communty education classes and recreational activities for enjoyment and enrichment. The Community Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL) Center in Aberdeen provides high-quality computer training for all individuals at any level.
Grays Harbor Community College is located 30 miles West in Aberdeen. The Evergreen State College, St. Martin's College and the South Puget Sound Community College are located in Olympia which is 25 miles to the East. There are also several vocational programs available in Aberdeen. The Simpson Education Center, affiliated with Grays Harbor College and located in Elma - just seven miles away - affords four-year college degrees by telecommuting.
The elevation is 300 feet. The area that surrounds McCleary is heavily wooded. McCleary, located at the East end of Grays Harbor County, is bordered on the North by Mason County, on the South by Pacific County, and on the East by Thurston County.
Olympia, the state Capital, is only 20 minutes away on State Highway #8. Driving times to Shelton and Aberdeen are 30 minutes, Chehalis-Centralia 45 minutes, Tacoma an hour, Seattle 1-1/2 hours, Portland 2-1/2 hours, and 1-1/2 hour to the Ocean Beaches - most accessible by the freeway.
The city government consists of an elected Mayor and five council members. Meetings are scheduled twice a month, and the agenda and notices are posted at City Hall. Grays Harbor County has a commission form of government.
McCleary operates a publicly-owned electrical utility. This makes for very efficient service and an economical electric rate. The water and sewer departments are up to date, and again very reasonable. Although the utilities are town owned, some of the outlying areas are serviced for electricity by Grays Harbor PUD and have privately-owned water wells and septic tanks.
McCleary has a police police department, fire department, and garbage service including curb-side recycling. These are excellent services, and serve McCleary and outlying areas. The police department has four full-time and seven reserve police officers. The town's volunteer fire department is a good example of civic spirit. Twenty-two volunteer firemen meet regularly for training and drill. We have well-kept, modern fire trucks.
A highlight of the community, the McCleary Museum at Carnell House is maintained by The McCleary Historical Society. The McCleary Community Chamber of Commerce serves the business community.
Telephone service is provided by CenturyTel and cablevision is available in most areas. Several radio stations and daily newspapers (The Daily World and The Olympian) serve the area, as well as a weekly newspaper (The Vidette). The weekly East County News is distributed free of charge to McCleary postal customers.
The Post Office has boxes and rural delivery. There is limited mail delivery within the city limits.
County-wide public bus service is provided by the Grays Harbor Transportation Authority. Bus lines commute through McCleary several times daily to county cities for 50 cents (one zone) and connect with Olympia. There are "senior" and "disabled" discounts available. The Authority also provides daily bus service to Lewis and Pacific Counties with connections to Seattle, Portland and beyond. 2003 special!! Timberland Library Cards. June 18 - September 1, Students can use their Timberland Library Card as bus fare to ride to and from the Timberland Library.
The McCleary Timberland Library (here's a picture), located next to the Post Office, is affiliated with the Timberland Regional Library System. Go to this link (http://www.timberland.lib.wa.us/lib-card-app-intro.htm) to get a library card.
Mark Reed Hospital provides care and emergency treatment. Several doctors are located near the hospital, as well as a dental facility. The hospital's namesake was a significant party in the development of the Simpson Logging Company. In addition to the 24-hour emergency room, the hospital has full laboratory and X-ray facilities. There is a helicopter pad for emergency transfers. The ambulance department has trained EMT personnel and two fully-equipped ambulances.
There are four churches and numerous club activities for youth and adults alike. The churches and civic organizations provide assistance when and where needed. A volunteer staff in the McCleary Food Bank works with donations of food and money from individuals, churches, and civic groups to aid those experiencing hard times. Senior citizen housing, clubs, and a retirement center are offered.
For information about McCleary's history (after white settlement).
For more information about Grays Harbor County, please call 800-621-9625 for tourism information or check Grays Harbor Tourism's site.
