Carlton E. Appelo’s Brookfield: The Joe Megler Story chronicles the rise and fall of a pioneering salmon cannery town situated along the remote, timbered shores of the lower Columbia River in Wahkiakum County, Washington. The narrative maps the rugged estuarine geography where J.G. Megler established his bustling fishing enterprise, nestled between dense coastal rainforests and the sweeping tidal waters near the river's treacherous mouth. By detailing the daily operations of this isolated riverfront community, the book illustrates how the region's immense salmon runs and strategic aquatic access directly fueled the Pacific Northwest's early maritime economy. Ultimately, the text captures the distinct historical footprint of southwestern Washington’s coastal inlets, preserving the memory of a vibrant industrial settlement that was eventually reclaimed by the surrounding wilderness.

Brookfield (Wash.) History, History, Megler, J. G. 1838 or 1839-1915, Wahkiakum County (Wash.) History, Washington (State) Wahkiakum County