NORTH CASCADES History Basic Data

excerpts from Nomination Forms National Register of Historic Places Inventory for North Cascades National Park

1. NAME
Devil's Corner or Devil's Elbow

2. LOCATION
Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Whatcom County,
Washington

3. CLASSIFICATION
Category—Site; Ownership—Public; Status—Unoccupied; Accessible to the Public—Restricted; Present Use—Transportation

4. OWNER OF PROPERTY
NPS
Ross Lake National Recreation Area, Washington

5. LOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION
North Cascades National Park, Washington

6. REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS
None

7. DESCRIPTION
Condition—Deteriorated, Unaltered, Original Site

DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (if known) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE

On a cliff side along a narrow gorge through which the Skagit River flows, is a remarkable system of half-tunnels cut into the rock, and suspension bridges that cross deep side canyons. This was the original trail up the Skagit carved and built by miners in the mid-1890s.

Today, a modern highway passes this difficult section by running through a tunnel in the mountain that the Devil's Elbow trail edged its way around.

Today the wooden bridges have deteriorated and are unsafe for pedestrians. The Devil's Corner cannot be seen from the overlooks on the North Cross-State Highway and at present few visitors are aware of its existence.

The total length of these bridges and tunnels is about 500 feet.

8. SIGNIFICANCE
Period—19th Century; Areas of Significance—Communications, Transportation

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Beginning with the fur traders in 1814, men have consistently attempted to develop a route over the North Cascades from the interior plateau. Only now is that goal being realized with the completion of the North Cross-State Highway.

The Devil's Corner was a particularly difficult section of the trail (later, road) up the Skagit River valley. Although gold miners passed through this area as early as 1879, not until the mid-1890s was a satisfactory trail developed here--by blasting half-tunnels into the cliff's side and building short suspension bridges over the lateral gorges.

This unique and remarkable development, representing a landmark in man's efforts to develop communication in this rugged country, is still intact--although too dangerous for walking today. It is a significant monument to man's ingenuity and determination to breach the mountain barrier.

9. MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

E. N. Thompson, "North Cascades National Park, Basic Data Study"

Paul Curtis Pitzer, "A History of the Upper Skagit Valley, 1880-1924" M. A. Thesis, University of Washington, 1966.

10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA
48° 41' 15" N 121° 14' 00"

11. FORM PREPARED BY
E. N. Thompson
OHHA-ESC
Washington, D.C.

12. STATE LIAISON OFFICER CERTIFICATION/NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION

1. NAME
Devil's Corner or Devil's Elbow

2. LOCATION
Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Whatcom County,
Washington

3. MAP REFERENCE
USGS, Diablo Dam Washington
1:24,000, 1963

4. REQUIREMENTS

1. NAME
Devil's Corner or Devil's Elbow

2. LOCATION
Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Whatcom County,
Washington

3. PHOTO REFERENCE
NPS, 1969, OHHA, NPS

4. IDENTIFICATION
1. From across Skagit River, looking north.
2. From west end of Devil's Elbow, looking east and upriver.

Devil's Corner or Devil's Elbow. Half-tunnels and suspended bridges made it possible for miners to carry supplies. Today's road is inside the mountain.