About Us

The Cottages History

In 1851 the first settlers came to New Dungeness, to take up donation claims; to clear land and plant crops. They came on sailing ships around the Horn anchoring in Dungeness Bay. Some days I stand at the bluff's edge and just imagine those huge schooners at anchor out there. White sails billowing in the breeze, tall masts standing firm and ropes creaking against the wooden hulls. Rowboats ferrying settlers, cows, food and farm tools to shore.

The settlers had to clear the land and where the Cottages are today meant cutting down what we would call old growth fir trees. They grew right up to the bluffs edge. After the trees were felled they were rolled right over the bank to the beach and floated out to waiting vessels to eventually be taken to San Francisco as lumber for buildings. Early farmers then grew fabulous crops, especially potatoes, in the bottomlands of the now named Dungeness River.

We are not sure exactly who settled this parcel of land as ownership changed hands quite often depending on gambling stakes, health, and desires to move on. It is on record as part of the original Thornton Donation Claim.

In 1889 we are told the Methodist Church had a traveling minister by the name of Rev. A. J. McNemee, who moved to Dungeness as the center of his circuit. A 16 x 16 church building was built from trees off the land right here at the Cottages and still stands today as the "laundry-barn" - the building farthest south and east on the property. The little church at Dungeness was only used for three years and was abandoned in 1892 when the town moved east of the river (by the former 3 Crabs Restaurant) because the inner Bay was filling with silt and the big sailing ships could no longer anchor at the base of Cline Spit. I think it was filling with silt because of logging the bluff top and rolling the big logs over the banks.

 

The Juan de Fuca Cottages were built in 1916 with some buildings being added in 1945.  Rumor has it they were painted black and could be rented by the hour!! During the 1950's the waterfront area was built to include a working boat launch with crane and dock to moor your boat on to. The property boasted fourteen cottages and the owner's house. The earliest pictures we have are of this time. Young guests could water- ski from the dock and out around the Bay as well as catching crabs in pots and fish on lines from their boats.

Records dated in 1905 show a W.E. Burnside sold the property to a Jay Gould.

From a previous owner we have a verbal tradition and some county records of owners as
Becker(?), Graham (- 1946),

Long (1946-1954),

Paget (1954-1955),

Van Ness (1955- 1967),

Van Bibber (1967-197l),

Wybrow (1971 -1976),

Judd (1976-1980),

Young (1980- l983),

Ramus (1983-2006)

Rief (2006-2021)

Brocklesby (2021- ) "Keeping it in the Family!"

 

RECENT HISTORY

In the early 1980's Sheila Ramus, from California, purchased the Cottages and began 25 years of transforming the Cottages to what they are today. With an eye towards restoration and conservation, Sheila turned the Cottages from unheated, summer cabins to four season triple diamond rated cottages and suites. With such amenities as full, modern kitchens (including in-sink dishwashers!), whirlpool tubs, cable TV, some fireplaces and bathrobes and slippers - you knew you would be well taken care of while you visited!

In May of 2006 Tom and Missy Rief became the new proprietors and have a vision for the Cottages which include maintaining the high standards already set as well as adding more amenities and luxuries with time.

In March of 2021
Keeping it in the family -
It is with great excitement that we announce a change in ownership! Tom and Missy have owned the Cottages for 15 years and are now passing the torch to their daughter, Jaime, and their son-in-law Josh.
These 105 year old cottages have had a few different owners through the years, and we are excited to keep it in the family... Maybe even for generations to come!
We all look forward to seeing you, new and returning guests. Tom and Missy will still be around, available for conversation and sips of wine at sunset, when they're not busy running around after their granddaughters.
Come visit us soon!

Today we have
*kayak rentals on site to explore Dungeness Bay, the Wildlife Refuge, and the New Dungeness Lighthouse.
*You can rent a bicycle here and explore the farmlands, lavender fields or the Olympic Discovery Trail which runs for over 50 miles!
*We have snowshoes to rent to explore Hurricane Ridge in the winter months!!

With
*six Cottages,
*four suites/rooms in the Main Beach House,
*two rooms in the Lodge and one off-site accommodation
*the Eagle's Nest - a one room suite 3/4 miles away
We can accommodate over night up to 51 people.
We are a AAA three diamond rated hotel and work hard to stay that way.

In the summer of 2010, a new meeting space - the Lodge was completed adding diversity to the Cottages and convenience for our guests.  The Lodge can hold 64 people in round tables and more in classroom style seating.  With a service kitchen, two restrooms, a wood burning fireplace (inside and out) and picture windows facing both the mountains and the water, the Lodge makes a great location for retreats and family reunions.

We offer kayak, bicycle, fire pits (when allowed) and snow shoe rentals - on site
Business Class WIFI is now available (Thanks to Josh!)
and Level 2 Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations!!!
Coming Soon - The Driftwood Market - just for our guests - a self-serve market - anytime - day or night for your convenience!

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the Cottages and the Sequim Valley!  We hope you enjoy your stay!