Abandoned North Cascades: Nature Takes Back in Washington

Have you ever seen a memorial plaque at a national park? Do you ever see old structures with broken windows and carved out lovers’ initials? Probably not.

It’s hard for some to realize, but abandoned structures hold an important role in our history. They show how our ancestors were brought up, how our industries grew, and how we’ve overcome things that may be overlooked today.

The Northern Cascades National Park area was once a booming area for migrations and supported those on the quest for gold and trading furs. Industries were built amongst the beauty of the Cascade mountains for convenience as well as the effect on the human brain.

Early 1900s America was changing fast—cities were popping up left and right, but America’s mental health was just reaching the surface. Developers picked the area right outside of the North Cascades, which had a beautiful view of Mount Baker’s snow cap mountain, with hopes that nature’s effect would play a positive role on the human brain for the Northern State Institute.

Come with us on this journey to watch the rise and fall of cities that were built overnight and laid the groundwork that made America what it is today.