Program

Historic Transportation

Subject

Site, Transportation

Location

Fairhaven near Cherry St., Burlington, WA 98233, USA

Lat/Long

48.475364, -122.328387

Grant Recipient

Burlington Historical Society

Two railway lines played a significant part in the growth and development of the community of Burlington located in Skagit County in northwest Washington State. Completed and in operation in July 1890, running east to west through Burlington, the Seattle & Northern Railway was a small, regional line that connected the community of Sedro to Anacortes, a distance of about 20 miles. By February 1892, a second railroad was in operation through Burlington, the Great Northern Railway, a major transcontinental line that stretched from Saint Paul, Minnesota to Seattle, Washington. In Burlington, the Great Northern ran north-south, crossing the Seattle & Northern Railway.

The junction of these two railroads led to the growth and development of Burlington and Skagit County. The railroads allowed for the transportation of agricultural products and lumber to new markets, in addition to bringing an influx of people to the area. Within ten years of the arrival of the railroads, and the subsequent spurring of the local economy and population, Burlington officially incorporated as a city in 1902. By that point in time, it was referred to as “the hub of Skagit County.” This nickname was in reference to Burlington being at the center of a crossroads for transportation to communities that radiated out from the commercial hub that Burlington had become.

Eventually, the Great Northern acquired the Seattle & Northern Railway operating it as a branch line. After several later mergers, the Great Northern become part of BNSF Railway, which continues as one of the largest freight railroads in the United States.

Speaking to the city’s origins, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Information Center now sits in the aptly named Railroad Park as an architectural replica of the former 1909 Great Northern depot, the original of which was lost to a fire. As of 2025, Burlington continues to serve as a center of local commerce and travel and proudly maintains its place as “the hub of Skagit County.”