This series highlights locations in Skagit County. These communities were formed in the early 1870's remaining up until the 1920's. Many of the names still appear on maps. A few have buildings remaining in use today. These communities and many others can be found on https:/www.skagitcounty.net/Maps/iMap/?mapjs=hist
Whitney was named for R.E. Whitney who put up a preemption near Padilla Bay in 1872 (copy shown in background picture). He and his wife built a shack to live in, he went about diking the area for crops and is credited with tide land reclamation throughout the area. In June 1889 work on a rail system running from Ship harbor (Anacortes) to the Skagit Valley began. Whitney Station, set near the present day Padilla Bay-Edison Road, was one of the stops chosen because it was closest to LaConner, Padilla and Bay View.
Padilla was established in 1872 when E.A. Sission, A.G. Tillinghast, and Rienzi Whitney began diking the land north of the present-day tracks of the Burlington-Anacortes rail line. Though all were engaged in farming, Tillinghast experimented with raising seeds and after a hiatus in Pennsylvania where his family ran a seed business, he returned and opened the Tillinghast Seed Company at Padilla in 1882. Sometime later the Tillinghast Seed Company moved to LaConner. A post Office opened in February, 1885, closing in 1913 with mail going to Bay View. Padilla moved to Whitney soon after Whitney Station was established. The School (background picture) remained until around 1920.
From the cache location Whitney was about ¼ mile west near the water and Padilla about 1/2 mile north on the east side of the present road. There is no need to risk yourself by climbing all over the rocks.
More information available at Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner.
Congratulations MilosPeople for the FTF