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Skagit River Journal

of History & Folklore
Free Home Page Stories & Photos
The most in-depth, comprehensive site about the Skagit
Covers from British Columbia to Puget Sound. Counties covered: Skagit, Whatcom, Island, San Juan, Snohomish & BC. An evolving history dedicated to committing random acts of historical kindness

Noel V. Bourasaw, editor

810 Central Ave., Sedro-Woolley, Washington, 98284
Home of the Tarheel Stomp

Mortimer Cook slept here & named the town Bug

Big Rock or Manhattan, take your pick;
The Audettes move beyond the roundabout

This clipping below is straight from the Sedro-Woolley Courier-Times of Jan. 26, 2010. It is the story of the amazing Big Rock store, which you will remember stands in the shadow of the Rock of the subject. This is another in the series of articles about the really noteworthy people and businesses of the upper Skagit River area that Ralph Schwartz has made a specialty since taking over at the helm of the paper last fall. He promised interesting stories and excellent photography and he has kept his word, as you will see below. This is a companion piece to our story of the legend of Big Rock, which tells the background of the Rock and the local community from the points of view of both the settlers and the Indians and includes historian Ray Jordan's memories. And a Journal feature this spring will include photos of Big Rock in the pre-World War I years, which have never before been published.

Any time, any amount, please help build our travel and research fund for what promises to be a very busy 2010, traveling to mine resources from California to Washington and maybe beyond. Depth of research determined by the level of aid from readers. And subscriptions to our optional Subscribers Online Magazine (launched 2001) by donation too. Thank you. Thank you.

Story posted on Jan. 30, 2010 . . . Please report any broken links so we can update them

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Our new weekly column, Puget Sound Mail (but don't call it a blog) debuted on Aug. 9, 2009. Check it out.

See this Journal Timeline website of local, state, national, international events for years of the pioneer period.

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Our newest sponsor: Cygnus Gallery, 109 Commercial St., half-block uphill from Main Street, LaConner. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 p.m., featuring new monthly shows with many artists, many local. Across the street from Maple Hall, 1886 Bank Building and Marcus Anderson's 1969 historic cabin. Their website will be up in early 2010.

Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop at 817 Metcalf Street in downtown Sedro-Woolley, 89 years.

Peace and quiet at the Alpine RV Park, just north of Marblemount on Hwy 20, day, week or month, perfect for hunting or fishing
Park your RV or pitch a tent by the Skagit River, just a short drive from Winthrop or Sedro-Woolley

Joy's Sedro-Woolley Bakery-Cafe at 823 Metcalf Street in downtown Sedro-Woolley.

Check out Sedro-Woolley First section for links to all stories and reasons to shop here first
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Skagit River Journal

Big Rock or Manhattan, take your pick; The Audettes move beyond the roundabout

Big Rock or Manhattan, take your pick;
The Audettes move beyond the roundabout