Darrington, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Darrington, Washington
Town
Distant view of Darrington from the northwest
Location of Darrington, Washington
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Snohomish
Founded	1891
Incorporated	October 15, 1945
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• Total	1.75 sq mi (4.54 km2)
• Land	1.73 sq mi (4.47 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation	554 ft (169 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,462
• Estimate  (2022)	1,461
• Density	835.43/sq mi (322.03/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	98241
Area code	360
FIPS code	53-16690
GNIS feature ID	1518492

Darrington is a small town in Snohomish County, Washington. It sits in a beautiful mountain valley within the North Cascades. This valley is shaped by the Sauk and North Fork Stillaguamish rivers.

Darrington is connected to other places by State Route 530. This road follows the rivers towards Arlington, which is about 30 miles (48 km) west. It also connects to Rockport. In 2010, about 1,347 people lived in Darrington.

People from other countries first settled here in 1891. This was on a spot where the Skagit tribe used to camp. It was also near the traditional home of the Sauk-Suiattle tribe. In the 1880s, people came looking for gold. But soon, the logging industry became the most important business. The Northern Pacific Railway built a train line to Darrington in 1901, which helped the town grow.

During the Great Depression, a program called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build roads and trails. They also improved ways to fight fires in the nearby Mount Baker National Forest. Many families from the Appalachian region, especially from North Carolina, moved here. Their culture is still seen in the town's yearly bluegrass festival and rodeo.

Darrington officially became a town in 1945. It is run by a mayor and a town council. The town's economy has changed from logging to tourism. People now visit for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain climbing, and fishing. This is because it is close to the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest. Darrington is about 554 feet (169 m) above sea level. It gets a lot more rain and snow than the lower areas of Puget Sound.

Exploring Darrington's Past

Native American History and Early Settlers

The valleys around the Stillaguamish and Sauk rivers were once home to several Native American groups. These included the Stillaguamish, Sauk-Suiattle, and Upper Skagit tribes. The Sauk-Suiattle had a village and burial ground near where Darrington is today. The Skagit tribe used the land between the rivers to carry their canoes. This path was known as Kudsl Kudsl or Kuds-al-kaid. It was also a route for travelers coming from Eastern Washington to the Puget Sound coast.

Early visitors called the area Burn or Sauk Portage. In 1870, railroad surveyors looked at Darrington for a possible train route. But they chose a different path to the south. The North Stillaguamish Valley was called "Starve Out" by early settlers. They often arrived unprepared and faced tough winters. The Sauk-Suiattle tribe later hired surveyors to mark their land claims. These lands now make up their Indian reservation.

Gold Rush and Logging Beginnings

In 1889, gold and other valuable minerals were found near Monte Cristo. This brought many prospectors (people looking for minerals) to the North Cascades. A 45-mile (72 km) wagon road was built in 1891. It connected Monte Cristo to Sauk Prairie, where Darrington is now. This road was only used for three years. The Sauk Prairie became a popular camping spot for prospectors.

How Darrington Got Its Name

A group of packhorses outside a general store in Darrington, around 1905

The campsite at Sauk Prairie slowly grew into a settlement. It was first called "The Portage." In July 1891, the settlers voted on a name for their new post office. The vote was tied between "Portage" (or Norma) and "Darrington." Darrington was the maiden name of a settler's mother. Some say the name was meant to be "Barrington" but was changed by mistake. By the late 1890s, the town had a schoolhouse, a general store, and a hotel.

The Railroad Arrives

Darrington residents wanted a train line from Arlington. They promised to ship most of the area's minerals by train. The railroad agreed and started building in 1900. The first train arrived in Darrington in 1901.

After the railroad came, many sawmills and other timber businesses started. The mining industry was slowing down. Most of the original prospectors left during the Klondike gold rush in the late 1890s. By 1906, Darrington had over a hundred residents. The U.S. Lumber Company was the biggest employer in the early 1910s.

In 1910, U.S. Lumber hired 21 Japanese workers. A group of white men forced them out of town. The company tried to bring them back, but the townspeople resisted. After a visit from a Japanese prince, 20 Japanese workers were allowed to return.

Life in Early 20th Century Darrington

The entrance to Camp Darrington, a work camp established in 1933

Darrington grew a lot in the early 1920s. New sawmills brought more people and businesses. The road along the North Fork Stillaguamish River was improved. The town got a fire department, water supply, and electricity. A movie theater opened in 1923, and a high school in 1925.

During the Great Depression, lumber prices dropped. Many sawmills closed, and people lost their jobs. The town also faced outbreaks of diseases. To help, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) opened Camp Darrington in 1933. It gave jobs to 200 men.

Camp Darrington workers fought wildfires and built roads and trails in the Mount Baker National Forest. They also helped create the Mountain Loop Highway. This highway connected Darrington to Granite Falls and opened up the mountains for logging and fun. Many families from the Appalachian region moved to Darrington because of the CCC jobs. They eventually made up most of the town's population.

Becoming a Town and Changes in Logging

Darrington's population reached 600 in 1945. On October 15, 1945, it officially became a town. The town celebrated with an annual summer festival called the Timberbowl. This festival ran until 1967. A new town hall was built in 1947, and a community center in 1952. A new high school and municipal airport opened in 1958.

In the 1960s, big railroad companies left the area. Smaller, independent loggers, called "gyppos," took over. They salvaged leftover timber for paper mills. A large mine planned by Kennecott was stopped by environmental groups. Passenger train service ended in the 1960s. The train line was later turned into a rail trail for walking and biking.

The timber industry faced challenges. Several smaller mills closed. New rules in the 1980s and 1990s limited logging on federal lands. This was to protect animals like the northern spotted owl. Summit Timber, the town's largest employer, had to change how it worked. The loss of logging jobs led to protests.

Modern Darrington: Tourism and Recovery

Darrington Street in downtown Darrington

The town government wanted to bring in more tourism. They created new festivals and promoted existing ones. Darrington became a place where people lived but worked in bigger cities like Everett. In 1990, plans for a prison work camp were stopped by residents.

In the early 2000s, the town tried to become a year-round tourist spot. They hoped for a NASCAR racetrack, but it didn't happen. Floods in the late 1990s and early 2000s damaged properties. A flood in 2003 washed out part of the Mountain Loop Highway. This cost Darrington a lot of tourist money.

In 2011, Darrington's main lumber mill laid off 67 workers. This was due to the Great Recession. The town received state grants to fix its water system and streets.

On March 22, 2014, a huge mudslide happened near Oso, about 12 miles (19 km) west of Darrington. It destroyed many homes and part of State Route 530. This cut off Darrington from Arlington for two months. The mudslide killed 43 people. Darrington became a main spot for disaster workers and supplies. The community center was used as a shelter.

State Route 530 reopened in stages. The state government and local groups created a $65 million plan to help the economy recover. Tourism in Darrington stayed strong thanks to advertising.

Darrington's Location and Environment

Whitehorse Mountain seen from Old School Park

Darrington is in the northeast part of Snohomish County. It is just south of the Skagit County border. The town is about 28 miles (45 km) east of Arlington. It is also about 74 miles (119 km) northeast of Seattle. The town covers about 1.67 square miles (4.33 km²). Most of this is land.

Darrington sits on a flat area between the North Fork Stillaguamish River to the west and the Sauk River to the east. This flat area is about 5 miles (8 km) long and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide. It is about 554 feet (169 m) above sea level. It is in a valley surrounded by the Cascade Mountains, including the 6,852-foot (2,088 m) Whitehorse Mountain.

The land here was formed by mud and rock flows from eruptions of Glacier Peak. This volcano is about 25 miles (40 km) southeast. The area is still in the volcano's mudslide danger zone. It also sits on a fault line that had a big earthquake less than 500 years ago. The soil in Darrington has glacial sands and gravels. These contain minerals like gold, silver, copper, and iron.

Darrington's Weather

Darrington's weather is similar to other areas near the Pacific Ocean. It has dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Temperatures in Darrington are usually about 10°F (5.6°C) different from coastal cities like Everett. Winters are colder, and summers are warmer.

Most of the rain falls in winter and early spring. Darrington gets about 152 days of rain each year. It averages 79.35 inches (201.5 cm) of rain annually. This is much more than lower areas of Snohomish County. Darrington also gets a lot more snowfall because it's in the mountains. It averages about 39 inches (99 cm) of snow each year.

July is the warmest month, with average high temperatures of 77.5°F (25.3°C). January is the coolest, with an average high of 40.8°F (4.9°C). The hottest temperature ever recorded was 107°F (42°C) in July 2007. The coldest was -14°F (-26°C) in January 1950. Darrington has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate.

Darrington's Economy and Jobs

The Hampton lumber mill, Darrington's largest employer

Logging is still Darrington's biggest industry. The Hampton sawmill is the town's largest employer, with 160 jobs. Hampton bought the old sawmill in 2002 and reopened it after major updates. It mostly processes western hemlock and Douglas fir from nearby forests.

Other important industries include tourism and outdoor fun. The Darrington School District and forestry management also provide jobs. The town has a grocery store, a bakery, and several restaurants. There's also a bookstore and a microbrewery. The Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe used to have a small casino and bingo hall that employed 50 people, but it closed in 2020.

In 2015, about 1,138 people in Darrington had jobs. The unemployment rate was 9.3 percent. Most people worked in manufacturing (23.8 percent), education and health services (17.6 percent), or retail (13.7 percent). About 9.9 percent of Darrington residents work in town. Others travel to Everett (13 percent), Seattle (6.4 percent), or Arlington (5.7 percent). The average trip to work is about 36.5 minutes. Most people drive alone.

People and Community in Darrington

Darrington is the third-smallest town in Snohomish County. In 2020, its population was 1,462. In the early 1900s, during the logging boom, the population was much higher. Many immigrants from Scandinavia and Western Europe came then. In the 1940s and 1950s, many families from the Appalachian region, especially from Sylva, moved to Darrington. Their families still live here and influence the town's culture.

The town's population has been fairly steady since the 1960s. It went down a bit by 1990 but has grown since then. Most homes in Darrington are single-family houses.

In 2012, the average family income was $60,750. The income per person was $18,047. About 16.7 percent of families and 20.9 percent of all people lived below the poverty line. Darrington's average household incomes are lower than the rest of Snohomish County.

What is Darrington's Population Like?

As of the 2010 census, there were 1,347 people living in Darrington. There were 567 households and 349 families. The town had about 816 people per square mile (315 per km²).

Most of the people (92.4 percent) were White. About 2.4 percent were Native American. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 3.2 percent of the population.

About 30.9 percent of households had children under 18. About 44.8 percent were married couples. The average household had 2.37 people. The average family had 2.96 people.

The average age in Darrington was 41.4 years. About 22.7 percent of the population was under 18. About 16.6 percent were 65 or older. There were slightly more males (50.9 percent) than females (49.1 percent).

Culture and Fun in Darrington

Darrington is known as a close-knit community. This is partly because it's a bit isolated and has a small population. Many traditions come from the families who moved here from North Carolina after World War II. People in Darrington sometimes say "going down below" when they leave town. The community often hosts memorial dinners and fundraisers. Darrington also has a strong tradition of volunteerism. People often help each other out.

Events and Festivals in Darrington

The host grounds of the Darrington rodeo

Darrington has a community events complex and park about 3 miles (5 km) west of town. It hosts several yearly events. These include a rodeo and a Bluegrass festival. The Darrington Timberbowl Rodeo started in 1964. It usually attracts over a thousand people in late June. The rodeo was canceled in 2013 because the seating was unsafe. But repairs helped it restart the next year. The Timberbowl Rodeo is named after an older festival. That festival ran from 1946 to 1967 and had logging competitions.

The Darrington Bluegrass Festival happens for three days every July. It started in 1977. It was created by the families who moved from the Appalachian region. The festival draws about 10,000 people. Visitors can camp nearby and join in jam sessions. Famous Bluegrass groups have played at Darrington's Whitehorse Mountain Amphitheater. From 2006 to 2019, the amphitheater also hosted the Summer Meltdown music festival. This event brought 4,000 visitors and many musical acts. Both festivals were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The town also has other yearly events. These include Darrington Day in late May and a Fourth of July parade. There's also a street fair in July.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

The headquarters of the Darrington Ranger District, a unit of the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest

Darrington is surrounded by the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest. It is the main office for the Darrington Ranger District. This area has three wilderness areas: Glacier Peak, Henry M. Jackson, and Boulder River. There are over 300 miles (480 km) of hiking trails. These trails are also open for mountain biking and horseback riding.

Darrington has several campgrounds and fishing areas. You can also go whitewater rafting on the Sauk and Suiattle rivers. The Mountain Loop Highway connects Darrington to many beautiful places. These include spots for birdwatching and the Pacific Crest Trail.

The town government also takes care of several small parks in Darrington. These parks cover 24 acres (9.7 ha). Old School Park has a gazebo, a playground, and a skate park. Harold Engles Park has a disc golf course. Nels Bruseth Memorial Garden has historical displays and a rhododendron garden.

Snohomish County runs Whitehorse Community Park. This park has baseball and softball fields. Darrington is the only town in Washington with a permanent archery range. It hosts events organized by the National Field Archery Association. The archery complex has six ranges and trails. The town also has a community center built in 1954. It is used as a gym and meeting place.

Historic Places

The town has a small historical society. It keeps old photos and documents for research. The Darrington Ranger District has four buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The ranger station was listed in 1991. The fire lookouts on Three Fingers, Miners Ridge, and Green Mountain were listed in 1987 and 1988.

Famous People from Darrington

• Bob Barker, a famous game show host from The Price Is Right, was born in Darrington.
• Nels Bruseth, a forest ranger, artist, and nature lover.

Education in Darrington

The Darrington School District runs two public schools in town. In the 2016–17 school year, 414 students attended. The district serves Darrington and areas east of Oso. It also includes parts of Skagit County near the Sauk-Suiattle Reservation. The town's elementary school (kindergarten to eighth grade) opened in 1990. It shares a campus with the high school. The school mascot is the Darrington Loggers. This name honors the town's history in logging. Loggers teams have won state championships in sports.

Getting Around Darrington

Roads and Public Transport

Looking westbound on State Route 530 as it leaves Darrington

Darrington is located on State Route 530. This road goes 28 miles (45 km) west to Arlington. It also goes north to State Route 20 at Rockport. About 3,300 vehicles use the highway west of town each day. About 2,300 vehicles use it north of town.

Darrington has another highway connection, the Mountain Loop Highway. This is a scenic road that goes 54 miles (87 km) south through the Cascades. It then goes west to Granite Falls. It closes in the winter and is not good for large trucks.

Community Transit serves the area. This is the main public transportation agency for Snohomish County. Route 230 connects Darrington to Oso, Arlington, and Smokey Point. It runs twice a day during busy times. The agency plans to start a new small bus service in Darrington in 2025. The Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe also runs a bus route. It connects Darrington, its reservation, and Concrete. This service started in 2016.

Trails and Airport

The Whitehorse Trail is a recreational trail for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The county government is developing it to connect Darrington with Arlington. It follows the old Northern Pacific train route. The town also has a small airport, Darrington Municipal Airport. It has one paved runway for small planes.

Utilities and Services

Electric power in Darrington comes from the Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD). This is a public utility that serves all of Snohomish County. The Hampton mill has a small plant that makes electricity by burning wood. This 7 MW plant was built in 2006.

Darrington does not have natural gas service. Many homes use wood-burning stoves for heat. Some of these have been replaced to improve air quality.

Ziply Fiber is the only company that provides land-based internet and phone service. It uses a fiber-optic cable along State Route 530. In 2022, the state gave a $16.5 million grant to improve internet service in northern Snohomish County. New fiber-optic lines will connect 4,000 homes by 2025. A local non-profit also started providing internet in 2017.

The town government provides water from two wells. Darrington does not have a public sewer system. Homes use septic tanks instead. The town has thought about building a sewer system, but it would be very expensive. Trash and recycling collection is handled by Waste Management.

Images for kids

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  Distant view of Darrington from the northwest

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  Location of Darrington, Washington

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  A group of packhorses outside a general store in Darrington, around 1905

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  The entrance to Camp Darrington, a work camp established in 1933

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  Darrington Street in downtown Darrington

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  Whitehorse Mountain seen from Old School Park

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  The Hampton lumber mill, Darrington's largest employer

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  The host grounds of the Darrington rodeo

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  The headquarters of the Darrington Ranger District, a unit of the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest

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  Looking westbound on State Route 530 as it leaves Darrington

See also

In Spanish: Darrington (Washington) para niños