Mount Vernon

History

Jasper Gates and Joseph Dwelley first settled on the banks of the Skagit River, where the city of Mount Vernon now lies, in 1870. Later on, Harrison Clothier came to the community in 1877 to teach school and join in business with a former student, E.G. English. They were later recognized as the city's founders and pioneer businessmen. A post office was established in November 1877 with Clothier appointed postmaster. The city was named after Mount Vernon, the plantation estate and resting place of George Washington. The two men laid out the city's first plan while the area was still heavily timbered. Mount Vernon's first industry was logging; camps were set up to log the townsite. The community grew quickly following the loggers, and hotels and saloons opened up along the Skagit River next to English & Clothiers' store. While poised to grow, river access to the community was stymied by a massive and ancient log jam in the river which prevented large ships from being able to port. Mail carriers instead had to paddle canoes down-stream to nearby Skagit City which enjoyed a brief period of prosperity thanks to this obstacle. The mining activity at nearby Ruby Creek spurred growth for a short time in 1880, gaining the city a new hotel, but little else was accomplished when the mines proved to be shallow. More logging operations were established but were not profitable due to the low price of logs at the time. By 1881, Mount Vernon's permanent population was a modest 75. The boost from the railroad's construction quickly replaced these buildings. 1891 also saw the construction of several large civic structures such as a large brick schoolhouse on the hill above the city as well as the Mount Vernon Opera House, designed by Peacock & Dalton. Growth slowed considerably after…

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, is land and is water. |date=April 2011}}

Most-observed species

• Bald Eagle

  Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  19,080
• Great Blue/Cocoi Heron

  Ardea herodias Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  15,931
• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  15,568
• Song Sparrow

  Melospiza melodia (A.Wilson, 1810) · Aves
  15,380
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  13,732
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  12,591
• Hen Harrier

  Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  12,567
• Red-winged Blackbird

  Agelaius phoeniceus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  12,047

Largest nearby schools

• Mount Vernon High School
  High · Mount Vernon · 1,977 students · 19.4:1 ratio
• Sedro Woolley Senior High School
  High · Sedro-Woolley · 1,276 students · 21.6:1 ratio
• Burlington Edison High School
  High · BURLINGTON · 1,139 students · 19.3:1 ratio
• La Venture Middle School
  Middle · Mount Vernon · 726 students · 17.3:1 ratio
• Cascade Middle School
  Middle · Sedro-Woolley · 697 students · 21.1:1 ratio
• Mount Baker Middle School
  Middle · Mount Vernon · 628 students · 16.1:1 ratio
• Lucille Umbarger Elementary
  Elementary · BURLINGTON · 568 students · 13.5:1 ratio
• Evergreen Elementary School
  Elementary · Sedro-Woolley · 553 students · 15.8:1 ratio

Most recent

• M 2.5 — 2026-06-26
  11 km E of Carnation, Washington
• M 2.86 — 2026-06-08
  2 km ESE of Oak Harbor, Washington
• M 2.56 — 2026-05-29
  7 km ENE of Ferndale, Washington
• M 2.54 — 2026-05-07
  4 km WSW of Concrete, Washington
• M 2.7 — 2026-04-27
  5 km N of Anacortes, Washington
• M 2.5 — 2026-04-12
  3 km WSW of Concrete, Washington