Pine Near RV Park
Originally established in 1972 and purchased by the Kominak Family in 2010. This property has been owned by some of Winthrop's most famous families.
Current Map
The Pine Near property is pictured here as several parcels. Corral Street is running vertical and Castle Ave cuts through the photo at an angle. The heart of the property is highlighted in yellow.
1895 GLO Map
The property where Pine Near is located today, was originally mapped as belonging to Harry Greene, the stepson of Winthrop's founder, Guy Waring. Harry's stepfather built the log cabin, referred to as the Waring Castle by locals, that later became the Shafer Museum.
1910 Baines Map
By 1910, records indicated that the property was owned by James Sullivan, but he had passed away in 1901. His wife survived him until 1919.
James (Jim) Sullivan came to the Methow Valley from Richland Center, Wisconsin in 1886 at the age of 57. His wife Louisa (Heckendorn) Sullivan joined him three years later in 1889.
He was a colorful Irishman who was of such an age that he was able to and did serve in the Civil War with the Indiana Volunteers, which whom he was wounded in action and released from service. Thereafter he re enlisted with the Wisconsin Volunteers and was wounded again.
He captured the attention of Louisa Robinson Heckendorn who divorced her husband, Benjamin Heckendorn, and married Jim Sullivan in 1874 in Wisconsin. They established the first hotel in Winthrop, charging 25 cents per night for horses and 50 cents per night for humans. The Sullivan cemetery, located southeast of the Pine Near RV Park, is named after James Sullivan, who is buried there along with his wife.
1934 Metsker Map
This map shows the Pine Near property as tract 24, which was owned by Lena Cassal
1959 Metsker Map
By 1959, the bulk of the lot was owned by Donald E. Lewis
The Northcott Family photo taken July 4, 1912. Lena is pictured in the bottom right. The 1924 Metsker map lists her as the property owner of the parcel where Pine Near is located today.
Lena Northcott Cassal
Born June 3, 1903 to Jewel and Nora Ellen Clark Northcott
Lena, like all the Northcott kids, went to the Winthrop schools. In 1919, at age sixteen, she married Albert Cassal. They were madly in love. To this marriage were born two children, Edna Cassal and Helen Cassal. They had a milk business in the heart of the depression. They sold milk at 10 cents a quart where customers would ask “where is the cream?” If the cream was not half way down the bottle they got complaints. In 1931 Lena and Albert separated. Lena went to Coulee Dam and became a cook. She later started her own hamburger stand selling hambugers. When F.D.R. dedicated the Grand Coulee Dam she sold $20 worth of hamburgers at 5 cents each. In 1935 she married Joe Penrod. This was a very happy marriage. Joe Penrod died March 31, 1972 at age 79. They had a beautiful home overlooking Grand Coulee. In later years she was known as Mary rather than Lena.
Tom Graves and a colt on the Graves Ranch at Pearrygin Lake in 1938
ToM Graves
The Pine Near RV Park has been many things through the years, including a pasture! The Graves family used it as pasture for their cattle.
Tom Graves was born on August 6, 1929, on the family ranch near Pearrygin Lake, WA. Tom graduated from Winthrop H.S. as valedictorian and continued his education at Washington State University and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying Equine science. Tom was a natural horseman and ranch hand at an early age. He began breaking horses at the age of 14 and at the age of 16 worked as a local guide on a dude ranch. Tom served in the Army as a member of the 3rd Infantry Division.
Tom was a horseman, wrangler, horse trader, guide, packer, smokejumper, rancher, soldier, wildland firefighter, logger, and owned several businesses in the valley including The Winthrop Feed Store. He was also a contract fire engine owner and operator. Tom was an active member of the American Legion. He was the founding member of the Washington Contract Firefighters in 1998 and a founding Member of the Washington Outfitters and Guides Association. Tom jumped at NCSB 1949, 50, and 1953. (from his obituary on Smokejumpers.org)
Camping in the Methow Valley
Just like visitors of Pine Near RV Park today, many early settlers sought adventure and enjoyment by camping in the Methow Valley. Hunting, fishing, hiking and relaxing were all popular activities.
These photos show a nice catch at Cougar Lake (top left), a Twisp River campsite (top right), a group of men camping (bottom left) and after packing up camp (bottom right). Notice the humor they show with their hats on the horses' heads.
Pine Near RV Park offers a peaceful setting in the heart of Winthrop and sits just across the road from the Shafer Historical Museum. The Kominak family purchased the property in 2010 and have continued to make improvements while offering visitors the chance to experience the natural beauty of the Methow Valley.
316 Castle Ave
Winthrop, WA 98862
Email: Info@PineNearPark.com
Phone: (509)341-4062