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TOWN OF LYMAN INCORPORATED IN 1909 Lyman was incorporated on May 5, 1909 as a 4th class Municipality, with Otto Klement as the first Mayor. By 1911, the most flourishing mill to be established in Lyman – the Skagit Mill - was getting into full swing. It was composed of a shingle mill, a lumber mill, and the logging operation. The mill alone employed about 300 men, so the Town’s population rose with its advent and operation. Employing a smaller percentage of the population was the agriculture and dairy trade. From a survey and rating report of 1928, it is noted that the water supply was privately owned by J. C. Criss, getting its source of supply from several small creeks north of the town. There was no organized fire department and volunteers were recruited at the time of a Fire. No chief was appointed and town officials cared for the fire equipment. Fire fighting apparatus consisted of one hand drawn hose cart with 300 feet of 2 V 2-inch hose. Outside help was available from Sedro Woolley, nine miles away on a paved highway and substantial help was readily available from the Skagit Mill adjacent to the town. The population of Lyman at this time was 600. THE DEPRESSION STRIKES IN 1929 The depression that began in 1929 had a very detrimental effect on the Town of Lyman. In that same year the mill, which was the major source of employment, was forced to shut down, creating extremely hard times for all residents in the area. There was a ray of hope that dawned in 1932 when the mill reopened. But that ray was soon extinguished in 1935, when Harley LaPlant, manager of the mill, rebelled against the labor organization and refused to negotiate with them. He started dismantling the mill and ended the lumber mill boom in Lyman. From that time on, the population of Lyman gradually diminished. Some logging was still done by smaller outfits, but because most of the timber from the low lying areas had already been logged, they had to get the timber nearer the snow line, making the logging season shorter and requiring more and better equipment. This left agriculture and dairy fanning the principal sustenance of the town. The advent of the auto allowed residents to remain in Lyman and commute to other town and cities for employment. THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORP BOOSTS ECONOMY As a means of recovery from the depression, the US Government enrolled young men from large cities such as Chicago and Detroit in the Civilian Conservation Corp. A piece of property was secured from the Truman Estate in Lyman for facilities to house the 100-plus young men of the CCC who worked in and near Lyman. These men built roads, one of which leads to the town’s water supply, and put a considerable amount of concrete revetment work along the Skagit River to stop the erosion which was cutting into the main part of town. Having the young men in residence did help the economy of the town. THE TOWN OF LYMAN TODAY Presently the population of Lyman is 410 and primarily consists of retired people. However, there are younger families living in Lyman and commuting to work in larger communities nearby. At present, Lyman has developed its own public water utility. It has a grade school that is run by the Sedro Woolley School District. The Town also has a town park, a large cemetery, an historical Indian Cemetery, Lyman Baptist Church, Cascade Mercantile Store and Gas Station, Lyman Restaurant and Lounge, a Post Office, Lyman Tavern, Mariah Log Homes, Lyman Business Park, which includes All Valley Storage, and a new Plumbing Business, S & H Fine Wood Products, computer technicians, day care for children, contractors, fishing guides, and timber cutters. Lyman has space for additional businesses and welcomes newcomers and visitors to its community. |
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©2008 Town Of Lyman. All rights reserved. |
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