In the beginning the area was settled by the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe who lived within the Suiattle, White Chuck and Sauk River Valleys as well as on the shores of the upper Stillaguamish River.  This was more than a home, it was a spiritual place where a multitude of names were assigned to places that had special meaning.  For instance a river was not merely given a name, instead individual segments had unique significance and were thus named accordingly.  The indigenous folk were masters of canoe craft, skills constantly honed by the many generations of navigators that when communicated in the oral tradition are today still legendary.

The year 1870 saw an organized influx of outsiders when the first white men came to the area to survey and search for a route over the Cascade Mountains for a new railroad.  But even though a suitable route was discovered, political influences dictated that the rail line would be located farther south thus delaying a more detailed exploration of the Upper Stillaguamish Valley.

A scant 10 years would pass before another wave of explorers arrived, this time seeking gold. It was in 1889 when prospectors flocked to the Cascade Mountains with high hopes of riches and a better life.  The place where gold was discovered was about 30 miles south of where Darrington is today, a settlement given the name Monte Cristo by Fred Wilman after reading Dumas’s novel “The Count Of Monte Cristo.  A trail connected Sauk City on the Skagit River in the north and Monte Cristo in the south making Darrington’s location an ideal half way point to replenish and resupply the weary traveler.  A cluster of wooden shacks and tent shelters were erected to accommodate the prospectors on their travels as well as to persuade them that their money would be wisely spent in the civilized surroundings of Darrington rather than in the remote wilds of Monte Cristo.

A prospector sees the mountain differently from most folks.  These keenly sensed men could look at a rock ledge and evaluate its mineral composition and whether the lode ore could turn a profit.  Many of the prospectors never made the trip all the way to Monte Cristo.  They instead explored the mountains of the Darrington area and found veins of gold, silver, copper and more.  Travel through Darrington via the wagon road was bypassed in 1894 when the railroad was completed connecting Monte Cristo and Everett to the west.  By this time the upper Stillaguamish and Sauk Valleys had grown into mining settlement, once called The Burn and Starve Out.  The name of Darrington was filed as the official name, July 22, 1891 when the community filed for their first post office.  There were a flurry of mining claims in the surrounding mountains and valleys which soon echoed with the thunder of dynamite.  With the discovery of mineral wealth the problem of getting the ore out of the valley was becoming a real challenge.  It was less of an obstacle for prospector Charles Burn as his dream was to bring the train all the way to this new mining town.  It was through his perseverance then, that the first train reached Darrington on June 5, 1901, all bedecked with patriotic banners and flags to pick up the first load of ore.

With the coming of the railroad to the upper valley, more changes ensued. Prior to the arrival of the train many small sawmills existed in conjunction with the mining claims to cut supporting timbers and ties for rails to transport cars laden with ore. At the same time new sawmills came into the area to harvest “ripe” timber.  Several spurs were added to the Arlington – Darrington line to connect with logging camps deep in the forest.  Sidings were constructed to hold extra cars and reloads at sawmill sites.  All of the sites along the railroad developed into communities.  With this new mode of transportation Darrington was now connected with the rest of the world and families began to move into the area.  What was once a simple mining settlement grew swiftly into a town of several sawmills and logging companies.

For many years everything was booming, not just for Darrington but the whole country..  Trains departing Darrington were heaped high with fresh lumber from the mills and regional cities were being built.  Everything ground to a halt when the stock market crashed on October 29, 1929.

The logging industry was hit very hard as building projects ceased and building materials were no longer needed.  Logging camps closed, flat cars sat idle along sidings and sawmills grew silent.  The winter of 1929-1930 was a further deterrent bringing heavy snows and harsh cold winds which delayed the arrival of spring.  Many vegetable gardens were planted to augment the scarcity of rations but during the first week of June a peculiar frost swept over the valley killing most of the vegetable crops.  The people of Darrington have a long history of working together and looking after neighbors and family during hard times and they pulled through.  Slowly times got better for the upper Stillaguamish Valley.

1932 was a year of severe floods for Darrington and Monte Cristo to the south.  Darrington lost 2 bridges, their grange building and the road to the Mansford School.  Repairs could not be made due to lack of funds.  The Civilian Conservation Corps stepped in to establish a camp north of town called Camp Darrington.  This timely aid helped the Upper Stillaguamish Valley to recover. Bridges were repaired, Forest Service roads were built into the mountains and fire lookouts were constructed on major peaks.  Many of these roads and byways are still enjoyed today as scenic drives and hiking trails.  Not only did these young men bring much needed repairs and construction projects to the area, but also their enthusiasm for sports including the first recorded basketball game.  The CCC teamed up with Forest Ranger Nels Bruseth to build a ski jump south of town and toboggan runs for the kids. The area’s most durable CCC project is the famous Mountain Loop Highway, begun in 1936, which winds from Darrington and over Barlow Pass eventually connecting with Granite Falls.

The Mountain Loop Highway was completed in 1941, and only open to the public for a short time.  When the USA became involved in WII the Big Four Resort (about 4 miles from present day Silverton) was occupied by the military and restricted civilian traffic.  When the war ended in 1945 Darrington flourished.  Volunteers came together to build a new City Hall with a fire department on the street level and a dance floor upstairs.  The following year the people of Darrington joined forces again, this time to create an event to raise money to buy a firetruck for the new fire department.  They named this event the Timberbowl.  It was such a success that the Timberbowl became a famous Darrington tradition that lasted for decades.

When changes are needed in the Darrington community, it has always been the people who come together and turn the impossible into the possible.  On April 24th, 1954 the town celebrated the opening of their brand new community center. Once again this building came about because the people had a dream, volunteers pitched in and lumber was generously donated. Today this building still remains a strong focal point for the citizens of the community whether it is to cheer on the local sports teams, celebrate graduations, gather to bid a loved one farewell or, as on March 22nd, 2014, serve as a functional facility for those involved in the deadly mudslide near Oso, Washington.

Through the years Darrington has seen many changes, The railroad has long since blown its whistle and the old grade is now managed by Snohomish County as they develop the Whitehorse Trail.  Many of the old logging railroads, mine trail and approaches to lookouts are now hiking trails.  The numerous mills that once graced the Arlington-Darrington railroad consolidated or closed up, are mostly forgotten, covered in vegetation leaving only names on the map.  Yet with Hampton Lumber, Darrington still retains one of the most active mills in the vicinity, as well as the largest employer.

One thing remains steadfast and timeless, and that is the people of the community, with their deep ties to their mountains and surrounding wilderness.  Since Darrington is over 30 miles from the nearest town it creates a need for self-reliance and a community of neighbors, friends and family that know how to work and play side by side.

Sources:

• Darrington Historical Society
• Snohomish County History Link. org
• Monte Cristo Preservation Society
• Old time residents –
  • Lucky (Reverend) Case – prospector
  • Theresa (Tesse) Howard
  • Harold Engles
  • Edith Bedal