Bow, Washington facts for kids
Bow is a small, unincorporated community in Skagit County, Washington. This means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Bow is located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, close to other communities like Bay View, Edison, Burlington, and Mount Vernon. It's part of the larger Mount Vernon-Anacortes area. Bow offers lovely views of Samish Bay. In 2020, about 203 people lived in Bow.
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History of Bow
Bow has an interesting past! It was first called Brownsville. This name came from William J. Brown, who settled the area in 1869.
How Bow Got Its Name
When the railroad arrived, more people moved to Brownsville. This growth meant they needed a post office. William J. Brown suggested a new name: Bow. He was likely inspired by a large railway station in London, England, also called Bow. That station was named after the "bow" or poplar tree.
However, there's another idea about the name! Some people think it was named after another early settler, James T. Bow. There's also a story that it was named after a Norwegian family, the Boes, who settled there in the 1890s.
Where is Bow Located?
Bow is found in Skagit County, Washington. It's part of the Mount Vernon-Anacortes metro area. The original town of Bow was located near Bow Hill Road. It once had a church, a store, and a hotel.
People sometimes confuse Bow with the nearby town of Edison. Both Bow and Edison, along with Blanchard, share the same zip code.
Fun Things to Know About Bow
Did you know Bow has its own special railroad? The Bow Hill Railroad is a unique narrow gauge train. This means its tracks are closer together than standard train tracks. It even has a working steam locomotive!
The railroad is on private property. However, the owner, Diz Schimke, sometimes lets the public ride the train. This usually happens around Christmastime. In return, people are asked to give donations to the local Alger food bank. It's a fun way to help the community!
See also
In Spanish: Bow (Washington) para niños
