2 minute read
I Love Skagit County
by Guy Corp
furnishings. With two new ex hibits opening every three months and a rotation of quilts from their personal collection, there is always something new to see at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum. For more information, please visit www.laconnerquilts.com.
Skagit County Historical Museum
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Explore Skagit County’s rich and rugged history by touring the Skagit Legacy Exhibit filled with over 180,000 artifacts depicting early Skagit life from the mountains to the sea. The collection includes farm equipment, household items, Native American pieces, tools and an extensive collection of dolls. Also included are thousands of photographs and maps dating back to the 1800’s. Sitting on one of the highest points in La Conner, the Museum’s gallery offers great vistas of Skagit Valley and an up close look at seasonal exhibits. For more information, please visit www.skagitcounty.net.
Rainbow Bridge
The Rainbow Bridge connects La Conner to the southernmost portion of Fidalgo Island, crossing the Swinomish Channel which extends from Skagit Bay to Padilla Bay. The bridge was completed in 1957 and has been burnt-orange since the day the first coat of base paint was applied. The bridge was to be painted green, just like all of the others being built during that time, but strong local support for the color eventually sealed the fate of the now photographically famous Rainbow Bridge.
Gaches Mansion
One of the most historic buildings in all of Skagit County is the Gaches Mansion, located on 2nd Street. The three-story Mansion with over 20 rooms was built for George and Louisa Gaches in 1891 as their personal residence when they moved from England. The Gaches brothers owned the J&G Gaches Mercantile which was eventually moved to Seattle. In 1905 Dr. G.E. Howe purchased the Mansion and turned it into Skagit County’s first hospital until he sold it just 4 years later. Between 1909 and 1927, the Mansion was owned by the Vaughn Family, who were part owners in the local grocery store.
In 1927 the Mansion was converted into apartments with numerous alterations to the floor plan made in order to accommodate additional living quarters. In 1973 the building caught on fire and was vacated completely. The extensive fire damage left the entire third floor exposed to the elements and it was thought that the building would have to be torn down.
The La Conner Landmarks Group was founded in 1974 and brought the Mansion back to its original glory. For 14 years, starting in 1981, what is now known as the Museum of Northwest Art was located on the 2nd floor of the Mansion.
Today the mansion is owned by and utilized as the home of the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum. For more information, please visit www.laconnerquilts.org.
Skagit County Agricultural
• Average size of farms: 131 acres
• The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 80.96%
• All wheat for grain: 5,886 harvested acres
• Vegetables: 12,046 harvested acres
• Land in orchards: 438 acres
• The state’s leading strawberry producer.
• 4 million pounds of raspberries are grown here each year.
• More tulip, iris, and daffodil bulbs are produced in Skagit County than any other county in the U.S.
• Skagit County ranks 5th in dairy production in WA state.
• Major producer of cabbage, table beet, and spinach seed for the world.
Source: Washington State Department of Agriculture, WSU Extension.
