Vashon - Dockton - The Dockton Store
THE DOCKTON STORE [9] "Toward the back of the store there was a large round wood-stove. It was quite often the gathering place. On a cold day we would all warm up by the stove before venturing on home. The teenagers would meet the 6:30 p.m. boat, walk up from the dock to the store and wait for the mail to be distributed. It gave them a chance to socialize." - Helen Bogunovich Puz Early supplies for the residents of Dockton were brought by each family by boat from Tacoma. In 1903, Albert Neilson started a store on the waterfront near the dry dock. He was also the first postmaster. Prior to the dry dock leaving, he sold the store to Lawrence Turnbull, who relocated the store to the present site. In 1919, Theo Berry purchased the store and became the postmaster. During Mr. Berry's ownership, the store was the post office, gas station, grocery, meat market, hardware store and community center. Mail arrived twice a day by way of steamer from Tacoma. Mr. Berry often supplied groceries to the local fishermen and their families on credit until the fall of each year and the end of the fishing season. When bills were paid, the customers were given a bag of candy or several yards of material to make a dress. In the 1950's, Mary and Don Johnson took over the store. Later, Jerry and Betty Plancich bought the store and were the proprietors for many years. Side Box: Today, the store is a private residence and remains on the National Registry for Historic Places.