Blue Canyon and Park - Washington Ghost Town

BLUE CANYON and PARK

NAME: Blue Canyon and Park
COUNTY: Whatcom
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 6
CLIMATE: Cool winter and summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

COMMENTS: Semi-ghost.
REMAINS: Many original buildings.

Located less than a mile apart at the southeast end of Lake Whatcom, the settlements of Blue Canyon and Park were founded during the early 1880s with Park first and later Blue Canyon. Both were important centers during the early days of mining and logging. Today the lake is surrounded by homes and a good road, but then it was an arduous, five-hour journey from New Whatcom to Park. The first settlers rowed from Geneva at the west end of the lake to Park. Blue Canyon did not yet exist. The existence of coal was discovered above the lake to the northwest of Park. The mine was given the name Blue Canyon and the townsite that grew up around the mine bore the same name. By 1895, a thousand people lived in Blue Canyon. The mine produced steadily until 1919 when it closed. Although Park benefited from its proximity to Blue Canyon, it was more of a logging town. When logging crews moved father from the lake, Park declined in importance. Blue Canyon townsite was largely deserted after the mine closed and today a handful of homes, both old and new, dot along the steep slope. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

Located less than a mile apart at the southeast end of Lake Whatcom, the settlements of Blue Canyon and Park were founded during the early 1880s with Park first and later Blue Canyon. Both were important centers during the early days of mining and logging. Today the lake is surrounded by homes and a good road, but then it was an arduous, five-hour journey from New Whatcom to Park. The first settlers rowed from Geneva at the west end of the lake to Park. Blue Canyon did not yet exist. The existence of coal was discovered above the lake to the northwest of Park. The mine was given the name Blue Canyon and the townsite that grew up around the mine bore the same name. By 1895, a thousand people lived in Blue Canyon. The mine produced steadily until 1919 when it closed. Although Park benefited from its proximity to Blue Canyon, it was more of a logging town. When logging crews moved father from the lake, Park declined in importance. Blue Canyon townsite was largely deserted after the mine closed and today a handful of homes, both old and new, dot along the steep slope. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

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