Port of Kalama celebration to highlight 140 years of service

The port, which for years has been one of Cowlitz County’s most potent engines of economic growth, is helping sponsor a celebration of the 140th anniversary of the first spike driven to create the western portion of the transcontinental Northern Pacific Railroad.

On the evening of May 21, the port and several other sponsors will host a 140th anniversary celebration at the Kalama Community Building, built on the former site of the Northern Pacific Railway Hotel.

Sponsors are asking members of the community to bring historical memorabilia — old photos especially of the town’s rail, ship and highway transportation history — for possible use in the port’s developing Kalama Interpretive Center. There will be talks about the town’s railroad history as well as a presentation about the Port of Kalama today.

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