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Lyman is a small town nestled in the stunningly beautiful Skagit River valley. It has a rich heritage based on its abundant timber, fish and mineral resources and its native American history. LYMAN'S EARLIEST RESIDENTS: SKAGIT TRIBE As early as 1870, settlers from the east coast and mid-west traveled up the Skagit River inland as much as 30 miles to where the Skagit Indian village was located, near the present-day site of Lyman. About 2000 native Americans of the Skagit Tribe then lived near current-day Lyman. Until the early 1920’s, when a smallpox epidemic occurred, the Skagit Tribe was robust and healthy. This terrible epidemic reduced their numbers by about 80%. EARLY WHITE SETTLEMENT: FARMING & LOGGING During the early years of white settlement, trees were cut and the land was cleared; stump farming was carried out on rich soil before the stumps of the trees were removed. The soil produced wonderful crops and there were no insect pests at that time. Lumber harvesting drew more white men into the area between the Pacific coast and the Cascade mountain range. The early settlers cut down trees and made their living quarters, furniture and fuel from these readily available lumber resources. Logging operations were formally established along the Skagit River in 1873. With the logging industry prospering, the white settlers began coming in greater numbers. Among the new settlers to arrive around 1880 was Otto Kiement, who was to become a leading figure in promoting the civic growth of Lyman. Kiement owned a trading post consisting of a store, hotel and saloon, all housed under the same roof. This post soon became the hangout for hunters, timber cruisers and adventurers who came to ferret out the mysteries of the trackless wilderness. A post office was also included in Kiement’s trading post after November 28, 1881, when a mail route to Lyman was established by Congress. This route extended sixty miles, from Mukilteo to Tulalip, Port Susan, Stanwood, Utsalady, Skagit City, Mount Vernon, Sterling and ending at Lyman. |
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©2008 Town Of Lyman. All rights reserved. |
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