McCleary is a city in Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,653 at the 2010 census. Take a look below for our list of 10 fun and awesome facts about McCleary, Washington, United States.

1. Henry McCleary came to the land in 1897, building two sawmills and a door manufacturing company.

2. He sold the land and the companies to Simpson Logging Company, December 31, 1941.

3. On January 9, 1943 the land became an incorporated city named after its founder.

4. The Henry McCleary House, designed by Joseph Wohleb, stills stands in Olympia, Washington and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

5. In 1959, McCleary started its Bear Festival. It was an idea that bears that were in surplus came and ate the bark from the evergreen trees and killing the trees after hibernation.

6. People from all over have come to taste its bear stew.

7. Although the bear stew is the big attraction to the festival, there is also a kiddies parade, grand parade, royal court ceremony, bands, dances, slow-pitch baseball, and many other events in all three days.

8. In 1901, there was a one-room class serving 60 students. In 1909, the district was official and a school was built on the current location. McCleary has since then had four remodels. It currently serves 50 preschoolers and 270 K-8th graders.

9. The City of McCleary is governed by a mayor, as well as five councilmembers representing 5 different districts. The McCleary City Council currently meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at the McCleary City Hall, beginning at 6:30 pm.

10. In 1988, McCleary school district began a scholarship program for its students. When a student who completed their 8th grade class in McCleary Elementary School graduates high school, they are awarded a scholarship equal to the sum of $55 per year that they attended McCleary, including kindergarten.