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Mt. Vernon, Washington

Mount Vernon
City
First Street
First Street
Location of Mount Vernon in Washington State
Location of Mount Vernon in Washington State
Coordinates: 48°25′12″N 122°19′34″W / 48.42000°N 122.32611°W / 48.42000; -122.32611Coordinates: 48°25′12″N 122°19′34″W / 48.42000°N 122.32611°W / 48.42000; -122.32611
Country United States
State Washington
County Skagit
Incorporated July 5, 1889
Government
 • Type Mayor-council
 • Mayor Jill Boudreau
 • City Attorney Kevin Rogerson
Area
 • Total 12.61 sq mi (32.66 km2)
 • Land 12.30 sq mi (31.86 km2)
 • Water 0.31 sq mi (0.80 km2)  2.46%
Elevation 180 ft (54.9 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 31,743
 • Estimate (2015) 34,053
 • Density 2,580.7/sq mi (996.4/km2)
Time zone PST (UTC-8)
 • Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP codes 98273, 98274
Area code 360
FIPS code 53-47560
GNIS feature ID 1512485
Highways I‑5
SR 538
Website www.ci.mount-vernon.wa.us

Mount Vernon is the county seat of Skagit County, Washington, United States. The population was 31,743 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the county seat of Skagit County. Downtown Mount Vernon is known for its annual Tulip Festival Street Fair, which is part of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The climate of Skagit County is similar to that of Northern France, with millions of tulips grown in the Skagit Valley. In 1998, Mount Vernon was rated the #1 "Best Small City in America" by the New Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities.

Jasper Gates and Joseph Dwelley first settled on the banks of the Skagit River, where the city of Mount Vernon now lies, in 1870. Later on, Harrison Clothier came to the community in 1877 to teach school and join in business with a former student, E.G. English. They were later recognized as the city's founders and pioneer businessmen. A post office was established in November 1877 with Clothier appointed postmaster. The city was named after Mount Vernon, the plantation estate and resting place of George Washington. The two men laid out the city's first plan while the area was still heavily timbered.

Mount Vernon's first industry was logging; camps were set up to log the townsite. The community grew quickly following the loggers, and hotels and saloons opened up along the Skagit River next to English & Clothiers' store. While poised to grow, river access to the community was stymied by a massive and ancient log jam in the river which prevented large ships from being able to port. Mail carriers instead had to paddle canoes down-stream to nearby Skagit City. The mining activity at nearby Ruby Creek spurred growth for a short time in 1880, gaining the city a new hotel, but little else was accomplished when the mines proved to be shallow. More logging operations were established but were not profitable due to the low price of logs at the time. By 1881, Mount Vernon's permanent population was 75.


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