A community began in the late 19th and early 20th century around a sawmill site under operations by the Rock Creek Lumber Company. Ownership changed several times over the course of a few years, including oversight of the McCormick Lumber Compamny, namesake of McCormick, Washington.[2] A post office called Walville was established in 1903, and remained in operation until 1936.[3][2] The community's name is an amalgamation of Walworth and Neville Company.[4]
The community rested on the county line separating Lewis County and Pacific County, splitting the town in half, including the Walworth and Neville sawmill.[2] By approximately 1930, the sawmill, due to financial hardships seen around the region, closed and the town began to wane. By the early 1950s, only six homes were occupied.[2]
Education
Both Lewis and Pacific counties required a school in the community and the county dividing line issue caused several problems. A myth exists mentioning that one house, split by the county line, required one student to attend classes at a Pacific County schoolhouse while their sibling was enrolled at a school in Lewis. The situation was resolved by the creation of an early Pe Ell school district that overlapped the county line.[2]
