Fortson County Park has it’s origins reaching back to 1905, when the land was purchased in order to build and operate a new sawmill.  This was successful and soon after a community was built around it.  The mill continued to grow and prosper and had reached a population of 320 people by 1926.  Learn more about Fortson’s fascinating history.

The mill is long gone, leaving a legacy of ruins and memories. Today the remaining walls of the mill stand like strange concrete gardens draped in mosses and ferns, the mill ponds transformed into wildlife habitat.  The old Fortson Mill site is currently owned by the Snohomish County Parks and Stillaguamish Tribe.  Another group, Friends of Fortson, was formed under Darrington Strong, to adopt the historic site and develop it into a park. Proposed plans are to develop a network of low impact trails, each unique and taking you to a special destination.  Picnic areas are also being planned.