Utsalady, Washington facts for kids
Utsalady is a small community located on the north side of Camano Island in Island County, Washington, USA. It is not a city with its own government, but it is part of the larger Camano area. Utsalady has its own elementary school, which is part of the Stanwood school system.
A very special building in Utsalady is the 1923 Utsalady Ladies Aid building. The Ladies Aid group started in 1908 and was still active in 2008. This historic building is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Washington State Heritage Register.
The name "Utsalady" comes from the Lushootseed language, which was spoken by local Native American tribes. The exact meaning of the name is not known today.
Early History of Utsalady
The land around Utsalady was originally home to the Kikiallus Indians. They were part of the Coast Salish people. These Native Americans lived in longhouses, both in Utsalady and along the Skagit River on Fir Island.
The local Native Americans called this place Doksk Ad. The first European settlers arrived in 1853. Just two years later, Utsalady began exporting timber. Its wood was sent as far away as shipyards in Brest, France. By 1860, Utsalady was even sending timber to Shanghai, China.
Growth of the Community
By 1870, Utsalady was a busy place. It had 54 houses and 147 people living there. The community also had a blacksmith shop, a telegraph office, and a saloon. There was also a shipyard and a school.
In 1872, a Masonic hall was built. Two years later, in 1874, a granary was added. By 1883, large sailing ships were taking away 74,000 board feet of timber every single day.
Utsalady was an important starting point for settlers. From here, they would travel to the Stillaguamish and Skagit Valleys on the mainland. The Masonic lodge that started in Utsalady moved to Stanwood in 1890. It is still there today.
