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
The Finns were the smallest of the Scandinavian groups who came to settle in Skagit County. Thirteen families made their homes in an area known as the Finn Settlement, located several miles northeast of McMurray. The first five families came in 1891, bringing all their possessions by pack horse or on their own backs over a difficult trail.
They were skilled woodworkers who built their houses of split cedar — each home had a sauna — and worked in the logging industry in the surrounding area. The Finns also made and used the first skis in Skagit County. Families also manufactured ice skates by shaping the runners from the steel of old crosscut saws. In 1895, they built a road to McMurray.
Former resident Edwin Kittila remembers, “It was forest land, and I suppose if we could look far enough ahead, or if those other settlers could have, they never would have settled there. It was just too hard to clear enough land to make a farm.”
“But they were a hardy race, and stubborn, and decided to settle there anyway. But it worked out pretty good because they had employment through building the road. They did it by hand; with axes, saws, shovels and horses. This was quite a feat in itself.”
The surrounding forest did more than provide shelter, fodder for fire, and employment. It also provided free medical treatment for infections, in the form of fir pitch. “It was the cure-all for any cut. You could find that anywhere. We had gallons of pure fir pitch that would drain out of old growth fir trees from a seam in the wood, sometimes 20 gallons at a time. You put that on a cut with a little butter on it and wrapped it up. It had such strong healing power you could feel it pulling the dirt out of the wound,” Kittila said.
This is the second cache of this name - I found the County Map was inaccurate in the location shown. The Museum personell provided a local contact who lives in the Settlement with whom I met. The homes you see from Granstrom Road heading east for 1.5 miles are all located in the Finn Settlement. Many who live here are descendents of the original settlers. Permission has been granted by the owner for placement of the cache. The building provided shelter for the school bus stop. Originally they attended the Arlington School District now they attend Sedro Woolley.
More information available at Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner.
Congratulations papercustmom on the FTF 2 in a row!