Glacier - Washington Ghost Town

GLACIER

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

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

Glacier is situated on the Mount Baker Highway of the North Cascades Mountains. During the gold rush days, it was the jumping-off place for prospectors and for the gold mines in the area. Population during the 1890s approximated 400 people. With all the mining activity in the mountains and the need for heavy equipment, the Bellingham Bay and British Columbia Railroad reached Glacier in 1904. The needs of prospectors and those of a small group of logging companies sparked the growth of a business district. In 1906, the townsite became part of the National Forest Reserve, but homesteaders who settled on agricultural land before January1, 1906, were given deeds to their homesteads and mining claims were honored. In 1915, the town had three hotels, a mercantile store, town hall, pool hall, barber shop, livery stable and a few quietly operated brothels. Coal was the principle product during the early years, then logging and lumber followed by tourism. Today, Mount Baker is an excellent ski resort. Since the only access road to Mount Baker leads through Glacier, it continues to be an important jumping-off point. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

Glacier is situated on the Mount Baker Highway of the North Cascades Mountains. During the gold rush days, it was the jumping-off place for prospectors and for the gold mines in the area. Population during the 1890s approximated 400 people. With all the mining activity in the mountains and the need for heavy equipment, the Bellingham Bay and British Columbia Railroad reached Glacier in 1904. The needs of prospectors and those of a small group of logging companies sparked the growth of a business district. In 1906, the townsite became part of the National Forest Reserve, but homesteaders who settled on agricultural land before January1, 1906, were given deeds to their homesteads and mining claims were honored. In 1915, the town had three hotels, a mercantile store, town hall, pool hall, barber shop, livery stable and a few quietly operated brothels. Coal was the principle product during the early years, then logging and lumber followed by tourism. Today, Mount Baker is an excellent ski resort. Since the only access road to Mount Baker leads through Glacier, it continues to be an important jumping-off point. Submitted by Henry Chenowith.

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