Area Info
Skagit Valley
The Skagit Valley is a prime agricultural area. Its main claim to fame
is its abundant tulip industry, but it is also known for many crops
such as peas, potatoes, cucumbers, wheat, broccoli, brussel
sprouts, pumpkins, raspberries, apples and strawberries. You will
find them all in seasonal roadside stands and in local markets.
The
valley has fine restaurants, shopping, theatres, charming bed and
breakfasts and modern inns. The area also boasts of excellent
medical facilities with most specialties and hospitals in
Anacortes, Mount Vernon and Sedro Woolley.
Outdoor recreation opportunities abound with many wonderful camping
sites, and both local and state parks. The Northern Cascades and Mount
Baker hiking & ski areas are easily accessible. Skagit County is
home to many different kinds of wildlife, including migrating Canadian
snow geese and trumpeter swans. Eagles soaring over the valley is a
common sight.
La Conner
La Conner was founded in the early 1860's and is Skagit County's oldest community.
In 1869, the whole town, plus 70 acres, was deeded to John Conner for
$500. To honor his wife, Louisa A. Conner, the town's original name, Swinomish, was changed to La Conner
in 1870. The center of town is considered a historic district
and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To learn
more about this quaint tourist town, here are some recommended
links:
Anacortes
Located on Fidalgo Island, Anacortes is surrounded by the north Puget Sound and San Juan Islands on three sides, and by the Swinomish Channel and the flats of Skagit
Valley to the east. Accessible by bridge, the city was officially
incorporated in 1891. The
name
"Anacortes" is a consolidation of the name Anna Curtis, wife of
early Fidalgo Island settler Amos Bowman. To learn more about
this gateway to the San Juan Islands, here are some recommended links:
Mount Vernon
First settled in 1870, Mount Vernon has been the Skagit County seat since 1884. As one would expect, the city was named after the plantation estate and resting place of George Washington in Virginia. In 1998, Mount Vernon was rated the #1 "Best Small City in America" by the New Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities. To learn more about this Skagit Valley hub, here are some recommended links:Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce