Contestants in the 1968 Miss Washington-Universe Pageant, held at Ocean Shores. (Photo courtesy of Ocean Shores Heritage)

The latest digital collection of the Washington Rural Heritage program looks back at how Ocean Shores became one of Washington’s best-known beach resort communities in the 1960s.

The Ocean Shores Heritage Collection includes material from the local history archives of the Ocean Shores Public Library, digitized earlier this year.  The collection includes photos from Ocean Shores’ local newspaper, The Ocean Observer; a series of 1960s photos featuring Ocean Shores landmarks and the town in its early phases of development; and items documenting the town’s incorporation in 1970.

Go here to learn more about the Washington Rural Heritage program and see other collections. The program is run by the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of Secretary of State.