Last week’s column established that there were many Utopian communities in the Northwest in the late nineteenth century. Washington Territory attracted more than its share. One of those, named Harmony, was located in eastern Lewis County between the Tilton and Cowlitz rivers, not too far from Mossyrock today.
Essentially, here are some facts gathered from the archives of the Lewis County Historical Museum.
Harmony began as the dream of two men: S.M. Dunn, a hop grower on the site, and A.T. McDonald, a teacher who moved there from Newaukum. They wished to associate with The Brotherhood of the Co-operative Commonwealth, mentioned in last week’s column.
While other such communities were beginning to experience trouble, both financial and social, Dunn and McDonald thought they had devised a perfect plan. The idea of the community was laid out in 1895. To eliminate free-loaders, they would charge a joining fee of $500 per family (close to a year’s wages in those days). For that sum the family would receive a new house and grounds. Labor would be recompensed with time checks with which colony products and general merchandise could be purchased at cost. Regular dividends would be paid to the members, along with their share of profits after the harvest.
Articles of incorporation were filed, the stated purpose being “to establish a community of the ideal society, wherein good morals and gentle manners shall be the test of refinement, and wherein children can be brought up in the unselfish principles of co-operation and brotherly love.”
It seems that that brotherly love was not entirely universal, though. A circular specified that any white person (my italics) of a good moral character who understands the principals of socialism, and is willing to work to build up a socialistic city and home therein — would be welcome.
The money crop would be hops, already being raised successfully by Dunn. The prospectus envisioned this: 20 acres of hops at three quarters of a ton per acre would produce 15 tons. Hops were conservatively expected to receive 12 cents per pound, producing $2,800. After expenses, the remainder would be divided between 15 families, netting roughly $175 per family, which, combined with their own livestock, hay, milk, chickens, honey, garden produce, etc. would be more than ample for a comfortable life.
There was national publicity and a reported 3,000 “inquirers” responded, but almost none bought into the plan. Eventually, only one person known to come from outside the county became a member. Location may have been one reason. It was 26 miles to the nearest boat landing at Toledo, 24 miles from a railroad station, and 12 miles from the head of navigation on the Cowlitz River, although there was a rumor that a Portland transportation company might extend operation further up the Cowlitz if freight were sufficient.
Available land was not a problem. Dunn’s property covered 220 acres, and another 400 acres nearby were pledged for shares or membership. A 60-acre fruit ranch with 2,000 bearing trees was also pledged. It wasn’t enough. Hard cash and settlers never came.
The experiment did not survive past the summer of 1899. A strong sense of community was developed, though, which persists to this day. A post office was established, but it was discontinued on Feb. 15, 1924.
Briefly, that’s the story of the failed Utopian community in Lewis County. For many years afterward, the inhabitants of the area continued to vote a strict Populist ticket. Now I’m told the activity centers around St. Ives Catholic Church. If you’d like to study this episode more fully, I suggest you set aside an hour or two at the museum.
•••
Bill Moeller is a former entertainer, mayor, bookstore owner, city council member, paratrooper and pilot living in Centralia. He can be reached at bookmaven123@comcast.net.
