Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Pacific Northwest


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Comments (0)     E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

Now & Then

Mount Vernon trades on its riverside pride

When Mount Vernon was a nearly new county seat in Washington state around 1890, a pair of entrepreneurs rigged up a ferry to get passengers across the Skagit River at the town's edge, establishing the importance of that part of town, where a farmers market now thrives.

We would imagine that it was Gilbert LaBerge and/or Fred Barnier who arranged for their Mount Vernon ferry across the Skagit River to be photographed with the burgeoning Skagit County seat on the far shore, except that one of them is cut off at the knees. The ferry proprietors are both listed in the 1889-90 Washington State Gazetteer, as are all three of the Mount Vernon hotels whose signs appear on the far shore.

The original photo in the Skagit Valley Historical Society's research library has a caption scrawled on the border: "Mt. Vernon before the fire of 1891." The fire destroyed most of the business district shown here, and so a new commercial strip was built two blocks to the east, farther from the river. With the arrival also that year of the Seattle and Northern Railroad, the Skagit River and its steamers got competition in moving the valley's produce, lumber and citizens to markets.

Two years later, in 1893, the first bridge across the river — a wooden truss with a drawspan — was built here. Although more convenient, the bridge was still not much faster than the ferry. Signs on either side warned, "$25 fine for riding or driving over this bridge faster than a walk."

The 1889-90 Gazetteer includes an impressive list of Mount Vernon concerns, including two banks, four churches, a skating rink, two music teachers, a cornet band, a sawmill, billiard hall and stores for all the necessities as well as a few luxuries, such as jewelry.

In 1890 the Skagit News (also a book store and job printer) was already 6 years old, and today's Skagit Valley Herald is its descendant.

(For a great illustrated horde of "Northwest Corner" history, check out another publication at www.skagitriverjournal.com.)

Check out Paul Dorpat and Jean Sherrard's blog at www.pauldorpat.com.

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

More Pacific NW headlines...

E-mail E-mail article      Print Print view      Share Share

Comments
No comments have been posted to this article. Start the conversation.

advertising


Get home delivery today!

More Pacific NW

This holiday gift list lets your conscience be your guide

Antique wood stove can light your decorative fire

Northwest Living: On Whidbey, a unified home from multiple recycled parts

Plant Life: Good soil is the secret to successful gardening

Taste: The Great Pie Bake-off pits friends and fruit

Advertising

Video

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle
Chittenden Locks Inspection
Interview with New Moon actors
Full interview with New Moon actors
Artistic Roller Skating
Girls Soccer: Mercer Island vs. Glacier Peak
Smash Putt! Miniature Golf
Opening day at Crystal Mountain

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising