Cokedale - Washington Ghost Town

COKEDALE

NAME: Cokedale
COUNTY: Skagit
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 6
CLIMATE: Cool winter and summer.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime.

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

As the name might suggest, Cokedale was a coal-mining town. Prospectors found a coal seam in 1878 but developing the property did not begin until 1891. By 1892, four coke ovens were at work; by 1895, thirty operated and ten more followed in 1896. However, the Cokedale mines were dangerous to work. The walls were poor, and some miners said the walls tended to press together after the coal was removed. The original high hope that the Cokedale mines would rival those of eastern mines was not to be. The deformation of the coal was so pronounced that miners could only take out small pieces at a time. Operations continued until 1921, then the mine ceased operations forever. What is left of the mining camp is now on private property. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

As the name might suggest, Cokedale was a coal-mining town. Prospectors found a coal seam in 1878 but developing the property did not begin until 1891. By 1892, four coke ovens were at work; by 1895, thirty operated and ten more followed in 1896. However, the Cokedale mines were dangerous to work. The walls were poor, and some miners said the walls tended to press together after the coal was removed. The original high hope that the Cokedale mines would rival those of eastern mines was not to be. The deformation of the coal was so pronounced that miners could only take out small pieces at a time. Operations continued until 1921, then the mine ceased operations forever. What is left of the mining camp is now on private property. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

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