The Rise And Decline Of The Ol^mpia Oyster 



from the granddaughter of M. C. Simmons. Through in- 

 dustry and hard work they covered the mud with gravel 

 from the beach, diked the land and planted Olympia 

 Oysters on it. Thej' soon erected a small opening and 

 packing plant on the shore. They have prospered, and as 

 they have prospered, they have increased their oyster 

 beds in Mud Bay and acquired beds in both Oyster Bay 

 and South Bay. At the sam.e time they have remodeled 

 their plant, which is modern, sanitary, and convenient, 

 ranking among the best. 



Ellison Brothers have struggled to prevent the decline 

 of the Olympia Oyster, but gradually they have found it 

 necessary to substitute the Pacific Oyster on some of 

 their ground. In 1955, they harvested only 812 gallon of 

 Olympia Oysters and 35,000 gallon of Pacifies. 



Bob Bowers, son-in-law of Ray Ellison, became man- 

 ager of Ellison Brothers after World War II. He and both 

 Ellison Brothers have been leaders in the struggle to 

 prevent pollution of oystering waters in Mud Bay, where 

 the Olympia Oyster has declined until, unless something 

 happens soon to restore the waters to their natural state, 

 final extinction will have to be recognized. 



IN OAKLAND BAY. 



I have already spoken of the pioneer days and of 

 some of the pioneers of those days, Joe Deer and family, 

 Thomas O'Neil and family, A. L. McDonald and wife 

 Margaret. Also of the important part the State Oyster 

 Reserve of Oakland Bay has taken in the history of the 

 industry. 



Others have also operated Olympia Oyster beds there. 



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