Sultan (Startup and Gold Bar)

The Empire Builder is nearing the town of Sultan. Other nearby small towns of Startup, and Gold Bar, were shaped by the Great Northern Railway, local mining, and timber industries. These towns flourished due to the convergence of these factors, each contributing to their growth and development. Each share it's own unique story and development attributing to Washington's history.

Sultan, a charming town with a population of 5,000, is surrounded by beautiful waterways and majestic mountains. Established in the late 1800s and officially incorporated in 1905, Sultan has a rich history rooted in logging, mining, and agriculture. Today, the town is focused on responsible growth while celebrating its heritage. Startup, at the confluence of Wallace River and Skykomish, marks the Cascade slope's beginning. Originally named Wallace, it changed due to mail confusion. Logging was prominent, but farming grew. Today, it's a residential area with 1960s homes and a historic church-turned-gallery. Gold Bar, founded as a prospectors' camp in 1889, later became a construction site for the Great Northern Railway. Its history is marred by corruption and racism, notably against Chinese immigrants who helped build the railway. Today, it's a modern residential area.

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3. Revisiting Washington — startup. (n.d.). Revisit WA. https://revisitwa.org/waypoint/startup/
4. Visit Sultan | Sultan, WA. (n.d.). https://ci.sultan.wa.us/216/Visit-Sultan