Darrington to mark 120 years with party Saturday
Published 12:01 am Friday, June 17, 2011
DARRINGTON — The volunteer economic development group in this town is rolling out its first big event Saturday and they want y’all there.
This old logging-mining-hiking-and-bluegrass-music-playing town is celebrating its 120th birthday this year.
To get the party started, the Darrington Area Business Association, with help from the Darrington Historical Society, is sponsoring Darrington Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in and around town.
“Believe me, there were glory days in Darrington,” Mayor Joyce Jones said. “For example, a lot of people have forgotten that the main road to the Monte Cristo mines was through Darrington. This town was a hub of activity.”
Darrington Day is a chance to show off the town and its nearby fields of wildflowers, waterfalls and Mountain Loop Highway to visitors. It’s also an opportunity for local folks to remember their history, Jones said.
“This new business association is working hard to attract people to town,” she said. “We need that.”
People who attend Darrington Day should make their first stop the Cascade Senior Center at 1115 Darrington Street in the old part of town.
There, people can learn where to see the wildflowers, find out how to get to five easy-to-see waterfalls and pick up a homemade pastry.
Historical displays include those about mining, logging and the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the area. A special display at the IGA grocery store, 1090 Seeman St., explains history of the important Old Pioneer Road, which stretched from Sauk City on the Skagit River south to the Monte Cristo boomtown. Also at the store, people can buy some Tarheel-style barbecue.
Mountain Loop Highway, which is 70 years old this year, also is the subject of a historical display, as is the history of railroad trains in Darrington. People can learn about these routes as well as the Whitehorse Trail at the fire station, 1115 Seeman St., and the grange building on Sauk Avenue behind the grocery store.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.
