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 town of Van Horn was established in 1902 by James V. Van Horn of Snohomish. He had moved West in 1892 from Nebraska. He first called his settlement, "Van," but when the post office was granted the department chose to enlarge the name to "Van Horn." He built a general store and hotel and became the first postmaster.
During the early years when the hills above Van Horn were being logged by rail, the town was a terminus where the logging trains met the main line. The rails crossed Jackman creek , then came down the east side of the creek. A water tank for the locomotives was filled from the stream.
The Van Horn Hotel burned in 1917, but as it was apart from the rest of the buildings, the store and mill were saved. In 1920 another fire wiped out the mill, after the location lost its status as a coming town site. In later years a service station was built on the highway, a grocery added [Albert Frank], and a sawmill erected. The sawmill met the usual fate by fire in 1951.
Just west of this location was the center of town where a few homes and a business remain.
Information provided by Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner, Concrete Heritage Museum and Skagit River Journal.