Oysterville Washington

Oysterville is an unincorporated community located on Willapa Bay along the Long Beach Peninsula in Pacific County, Washington. It is situated near Ocean Park and Long Beach, approximately 5 miles from the former and 15 miles from the latter. Established as an oyster fishing village in 1841, it was officially named by J.A. Clark in 1854 and became a hub for oyster farming. Oysterville was once the county seat of Pacific County until 1893 when the seat was relocated to South Bend following a county seat war, during which records were stolen.

Historically, Indigenous peoples first utilized the area for shellfish cultivation before European settlers arrived. The community features several historic buildings, including a schoolhouse and homes built prior to 1880, though many structures have been lost due to natural elements. Oysterville was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 as the Oysterville Historic District.

Geographically, it is positioned on the east side of the peninsula along Willapa Bay. Notable residents include writer and philologist Willard R. Espy and Clara C. Munson, who served as the first woman mayor of an Oregon city in the 20th century. The historic Oysterville Cemetery, established in 1858, is located just outside the town and holds plots for many founding families. Today, the community has a population of about 20 residents.