Michelle Roethle Your NorthWest "Real Estate Solution"

A Brief History

The first settler in our area was Lambert Evans in 1872. He was a veteran of the Confederate Army from Florida and was 36 years of age when he settled on Stretch Island. He purchased 40 acres of the island for $2.50 per acre. Later he filed homestead papers on the northern 172 acres. He planted grapevines from cuttings he obtained during his long travel to the area. Fruit trees were also planted and he sold his crops by rowing to Olympia and Steilacoom. For 11 years he remained the only settler for miles and later in life became known as the "first citizen" of the community. Late in the 19th century more settlers came to Stretch Island, Reach Island and the mainland opposite the islands.

Members of early sailing expeditions of Puget Sound named much of our area. The first was Capt. George Vancouver and his Second Lieutenant Peter Puget who explored Puget Sound in May 1792. Almost 50 years later in May 1841 Admiral Wilkes expedition named Stretch Island for Samuel Stretch, a gunner's mate with the expedition. Using his wit he then named the smaller island to the north Reach Island. Reach Island had been known as Oak Island prior to this. Joseph Pickard was the first to homestead Reach Island in 1885. He left in 1890 and the island was not inhabited until 1905 when Alfred W. Zizz bought Reach Island for $1,000. Alfred and his wife Natella raised two children; Virginia and Zane. Alfred remained on the island until 1952 when it was sold to a development group and it was renamed Treasure Island.

On the mainland the Malaney brothers; Tom, Albert and John arrived in 1885. They claimed tracks of land and later with bankers Ladd and Tilton formed the Detroit Land Improvement Company and acquired even more tracts of land. Their vision of Detroit was a large city. Several acres opposite Reach Island were platted into lots. They were successful for about a year with a sawmill, two saloons and a new hotel. The dream faded when investors left along with John and Albert Malaney. Tom stayed on to become our first postmaster. Charles (Bill) Somers bought 10 acres of the original site in the 1950's. You can see the sign today on the Grapeview Loop Road "Detroit Townsite".

Others were settling around the Detroit Townsite. Charlie Anderson settled on the south end of Stretch Island in 1883. Charlie Gould came in 1886 purchasing 40 acres of the island's northwest section from Lambert Evans. He persuaded his friend, Adam Eckert, to also come in 1889. Adam Eckert also purchased 40 acres from Lambert Evans. His wife Sarah and five children under the age of 14 soon followed . The Eckert family was prominent in our community for the next 100 years. Their home became a center for community activities.

In 1891 the closest schools were in Allyn and Vaughn. Sarah Eckert's two older boys rowed across the bay to Vaughn for school. In 1893 our community organized School District #23. The first students were the Eckert and Malaney children. This created the first political entity of our community with Lambert Evans, Laura Malaney and Lou Rauschert on the School Board.

Walter Eckert, who was tired of his mail being sent to Detroit Michigan, convinced the community their beautiful rural community needed a better name. Grapeview was the choice. It was approved by the Postal Service in April 1922.

Most of this history came from Grapeview the Detroit of the West by Mary Sagerson and Duane Robinson, Mason County Historical Society, 1992.

Hartstene Pointe (Maintenance Association) was incorporated as a non-profit corporation on June 12, 1970 by the Quadrant Corporation, a subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Inc.

The Pointe, as it is generally known, is approximately 215 acres in size and is situated about 18 miles northeast of the City of Shelton in Mason County, Washington. The Pointe is located on the northern-most tip of Harstine Island in the southern end of Puget Sound.

The Pointe consists of 440 private residential lots (as of 2002, 296 lots have been developed and 144 are still vacant), 90 private condominium "Island Houses", a private road system, a 6,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse, a swimming pool and hot tub, three tennis courts, about 5 ½ miles of walking trails, a 100 slip marina, a boat launch, picnic areas and 3.5 miles of private beach.

Hartstene Pointe has a single access gate operated by cards issued to property owners. One of the unique features of Hartstene Pointe is the circular shape of most of the residential lots. These lots are either 80 ft. or 90 ft. in diameter and all are completely surrounded by common area greenbelt.

The community is served by public water and sewage systems owned and operated by Mason County and by a public power system operated by the Mason County Public Utility District.

Hartstene Pointe employs a full time Manager, Office Manager, Patrol Officer and two Maintenance Persons, together with part-time employees as needed. The Pointe is now governed by a seven member Board of Directors who are elected by the property owners. The Board functions under the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R's) filed with the original Articles of Incorporation. All development at the Pointe, including new construction, additions, exterior maintenance and painting and tree cutting are closely regulated by an Architectural Control Committee established by the Board of Directors.

After more than 30 years, Hartstene Pointe remains heavily wooded with Douglas fir, hemlock, cedar, madrona, maple and various other deciduous trees. The area is also home to a significant population of birds, deer, raccoons and several families of red fox. Bald eagles have been sighted along the waters edge. Along its perimeter, Hartstene Pointe boasts magnificent views of Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.

Hartstene Pointe, developed in the early 1970s, is approximately 230 acres in size and is situated about 18 miles northeast of the City of Shelton in Mason County, Washington. The Pointe is located on the northern-most tip of Harstine Island in southern Puget Sound.

The Pointe consists of 532 private residential properties, consisting of 442 residential lots and 90 "Island Houses" which are attached duplex condominiums. A unique feature of Hartstene Pointe is the circular shape of most of the residential lots. These lots are either 80 ft. or 90 ft. in diameter and all are completely surrounded by common area greenbelt. Approximately 115 of these lots are undeveloped. Community amenities include a private road system, a 6,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, an 80,000 gallon swimming pool with a 12-person hot tub spa, three tennis courts, about 5 miles of walking trails, a 100 slip marina, a boat launch, six picnic areas and approximately 3.5 miles of private beach.

Hartstene Pointe is heavily wooded with Douglas fir, hemlock, Western red cedar, Pacific madrone, maple, alder and various other deciduous trees. The area is also home to a significant wildlife population of birds, deer, raccoons and several families of red fox. Bald eagles are seen along the water's edge. Along its perimeter, Hartstene Pointe boasts magnificent views of Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. While our Pacific Northwest location provides a relatively wet climate from late fall through early spring, the climate during the remainder of the year has resulted in a Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildfire Hazard Severity rating of "High Hazard".

Our community desires to retain its forested and wildlife-rich environment, coupled with the relatively small lot size. This limits the scope of individual property owner's vegetation management ability and results in a unique challenge: to maintain the right balance of heavily-wooded common area while reducing the possibility of fire danger.

The community is served by public water and sewage systems owned and operated by Mason County and by a public power system operated by the Mason County Public Utility District. Community fire protection is provided by Mason County Fire Protection District 5, a partner in Firewise efforts.

Forestry management activity at Hartstene Pointe was initiated in 1998 when a forestry consultant firm was engaged to evaluate and assess our forests with subsequent issuance of a Hartstene Pointe Forest Stewardship Plan. Subsequent activities have included various Firewise activities and recommendations. Working with the Washington State DNR, South Puget Sound Region, our community has actively pursued increased fire safety. Examples of efforts we have taken are:

· Published fire safety practices for homeowners in the quarterly newsletter.

· Sent representatives to Firewise Communities/USA workshops

· Hosted community presentations by DNR wildland fuels reduction experts

· Organized volunteer weekends to cleanup & chip forest debris and ladder fuels

· Hosted a DNR Grant crew that further cleared debris and ladder fuels

· Formed a Firewise Communities/USA Board & submitted an application to become nationally recognized

Planning is now in process to update activities for the current year. The DNR has been of particularly great help in encouraging and assisting our community. We intend to continue our wildfire safety improvement efforts for many years to come.

I have to tell you all about the most embarrassing moment that I have lately. My family and I signed for my house this past week and since I am an agent and I work with the escrow agent I thought that my 4 year old farting was not appropriate. He was throwing cards at her desk.My 18 month old was making noises that got louder and louder. She laughed and didn't make a big deal of it but I was horrified.