Albee figured that a dryad might find itself right at home living in the local fir and cedar trees.

The lands were first settled in 1852 by Joseph and Karolina Mauermann, Austrian immigrants who traveled by wagon train from Missouri.

The region was inundated with strands of old growth fir and teemed with abundant wildlife, including cougars which caused issues for farmers attempting to raise cattle.

Held since 1978, the event consists of entrants buying or building water crafts and floating down the Chehalis River from Pe Ell to Rainbow Falls State Park, which is one mile due east of the town.

Riders can float over a slight waterfall that still remains despite severe flooding damage due to the Great Coastal Gale of 2007.

After two consolidations with the Pe Ell school district in the late-1930s and during World War II, the schoolhouse became an apartment building.