On the banks of the Skagit River in the late 1800s, an untamed wilderness was settled by Jasper Gates. He was followed by Harrison Clothier and Edward English, who had a vision for a new town. But before the city of Mount Vernon could become a reality, the early settlers would have to use simple tools and pure determination to clear two ancient logjams that prohibited travel up the river. Once the river was navigable, the logging industry could flourish, which, in turn, cleared fertile lands that would support world-class farming and culminate in a booming dairy industry.
Eventually, Mount Vernon would be referred to as "Milk City." The area was a top seed producer as well as the site for food processing and canning. Today, it is best known for bulb and flower growing; every April, hundreds of thousands of people journey to view the spectacular flower fields.
Highlights of Mount Vernon include:
• The early years of Mt. Vernon formed around pioneers and logjams.
• Photographs from family archives, rarely seen before, of Mt. Vernon and its people throughout history.
• The resilience of the town through floods, fires and hard times.
• The modern days of Mt. Vernon characterized by its revitalization and reinvention.
Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.
Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places. Have we done a book on your town? Visit arcadiapublishing.com.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/




