Bow in Skagit County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Chuckanut Drive

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 9, 2019

1. Chuckanut Drive Marker

Inscription. The road you are traveling is one of the most scenic in Washington State. When completed in 1896, Chuckanut Drive was the first road to connect Whatcom County with points south. Until this time, travel in northwest Washington was commonly done by canoe, stean boat, sailing ship, or train.

The creation of this road helped usher in a new era of transportation. The road enabled residents to easily market their products in Bellingham and return home the same day. People also discovered the pleasure of traveling Chuckanut Drive simply for its scenic beauty.

In 1901, amidst controversy, Skagit County sold a three mile section of the road to the Great Northern Railway. The road remained impassable until convicts from local jails began rebuilding it in 1910.

From 1913 until 1931, Chuckanut Drive was part of the popular Pacific Highway that stretched from San Diego, California to Vancouver, British Columbia. From this spot, travelers have long enjoyed spectacular views of Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and, on the horizon, the Olympic Mountains.

Erected by Washington State Parks, Washington State

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Department of Transportation, Washington State Historical Society. (Marker Number 48.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 48° 37.586′ N, 122° 27.781′ W. Marker is in Bow, Washington, in Skagit County. It is at the intersection of Chuckanut Drive (Washington Route 11) and Chuckanut Mountain Drive, on the left when traveling south on Chuckanut Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1221 Chuckanut Drive, Bow WA 98232, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Puget Sound Region.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Daylighting Padden Creek (approx. 6.3 miles away); Charles X. Larrabee

Chuckanut Drive Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, October 9, 2019

2. Chuckanut Drive Marker - wide view

(approx. 6.7 miles away); Town Pillory (approx. 6.7 miles away); Counterfeiters' Hide Out (approx. 6.8 miles away); The Tulip Fountain (approx. 6.8 miles away); Samuel Longhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) (approx. 6.8 miles away); Phoebe Goodell Judson (approx. 6.8 miles away); Site of Puget Sound Sawmills and Shingle Company (approx. 6.8 miles away).

More about this marker. The marker is located at a scenic lookout (with parking), and is relatively easy to find.

<i>Chuckanut Drive, Bellingham, Wash. Jukes Photo</i> image. Click for full size.

M.F. Jukes (courtesy of the University of Washington Libraries), circa 1926

3. Chuckanut Drive, Bellingham, Wash. Jukes Photo

Taken from Inspiration Point.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 766 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.