In the beginning…

The club began when rock lovers started gathering informally at individual’s homes in June, 1960. There were casual meetings for the first three years and the group put on rock related displays during the Rhododendron Festival. It is remembered as being a family-oriented group with picnics, potlucks and rock hounding trips. The following people are credited with founding the club and being early organizers: Bob and Kathy Sahlie, Vic and Marie Anderson, Jim and Bernadine Brooks, Bill Bernard, Bob Austin, James Allardice, Hugh and Helen Sweargin, and Ruth Richmond.

In 1963 the group became a legal non-profit organization and opened its first checking account. Thirty members were on record by the end of that year. The first 8’ display-case was donated to the club by Jim Alderdice in late 1964. The Jefferson County fairboard established rules for the display of rocks and gems during the fair in 1966 and the club held its first annual potluck. A non-competitive rock show at the fair started in 1967.

By early 1968 a rock fountain display was in progress. This same year the fair board gave the club two old wooden buildings for their displays and $75. The club moved the buildings close together and built a roof between them to cover the fountain. Work began on the first wheel of fortune for the fair in 1969; it was made from a bicycle wheel. The mention of a new, 40’ x 60’ metal building occurred in September 1969 with planning and then construction continuing during 1970. The first rock class was apparently held in 1970 and the first Rock Club display in the new building took place at the August 1970 fair. In 1971 the Rock Club ceased meeting in the Port Townsend Recreation Center and future meetings were held in the Rock Club building at the fairgrounds.

1971 saw work continue on the indoor fountain and an electric model train set was incorporated into it. A new wheel of fortune was also constructed. Rocks were tumbled for fair prizes and some equipment was ordered for the saw room.  There were rock dealers at the county fair. The kitchen was created from donated appliances in 1972. More display cases were needed to expand the club’s range of exhibits, and in 1974 petrified wood was collected for the fountain and a tiny village that was made from stone slabs. A wall-mounted rock display was completed the same year. During the 70’s other groups would occasionally use the rock club building for their own meetings.

In 1976 shelves were built along the wall to hold the club library. It was also decided the club needed a big saw and a vacuum cleaner. The wall displays of rock samples was expanded in 1981.  A large 16” saw belonging to Bill Barnard was stored at the club in 1985 and for a fee it could be used by the club. The model train display was improved in 1988 with purchase of a new set. Starting in the spring of 2000 a bimonthly club newsletter was published by Carol Brown.

More recent club news includes an approximately two year shut-down in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.  In 2025 Vicki Stearn’s newly designed black light exhibit was staged at the county fair. The old fluorescent lighting in the building was replaced with LED fixtures. An exhaust fan was added to the saw room. The number of display cases was reduced and these were also fitted with LED lights. Dennis Rodrigues constructed two new jewelry benches for use in metalwork classes, with two more planned.  The club continues to improve and upgrade its lapidary equipment, offer classes in lapidary and metalwork, and create lapidary displays for the county fair.