North Cascades

SETTLEMENT PATTERNS IN THE NORTH CASCADES

CORRIDORS OF SETTLEMENT: STEHEKIN RIVER

Inlow/Byrd

Directly adjacent to the Zell homestead was a homestead originally claimed by a man named Igo Inlow. Inlow first came uplake in 1913 and soon after filed on 85 acres approximately 1/4 to 1/2 mile below Company Creek (T33N R17E, Section 22). Two years later Inlow applied for an additional 32 acres, increasing his claim to more than 100 acres. When USFS Ranger Blankenship visited the claim in 1917, he observed a 1-story, 2-room lumber house (16' x 16') with a 10' addition, 3-1/2 acres of land planted, and a dozen apple trees. [240] For unknown reasons Inlow relinquished his homestead claim in 1919.

The following year Charles F. Byrd filed on Inlow's former claim and arrived in Stehekin shortly thereafter. He built two bridges, one across the river and another over a slough (both more than 100 feet long) to link his property with the valley road. Byrd owned four head of cattle, two horses, and an assortment of farm equipment including a wagon, plow, harrow, and drag-saw. Well-equipped to cultivate his land, Byrd successfully grew oats, potatoes, and carrots. Within two years after the application was filed, President Warren G. Harding signed Byrd's homestead patent. [241]