The Small Town In Washington You Ve Never Heard Of But Will Fall In Love With

Located in northwest Washington, Skagit County is home to everything from rural farmland (Edison) to charming waterfront communities (Anacortes). But unless you live in the area, you’ve probably never heard of the tiny town of Concrete. There’s not much to it but what it lacks in amenities, it makes up for in charm.

Only about 730 people live in Concrete.

Gord McKenna / Flickr It’s about 40 miles from Mount Vernon and an hour from Bellingham.

Concrete used to go by several other names.

Jasperdo / Flickr When settlers came to the Baker River in 1871, they called the settlement “Minnehaha.” In 1890, the townsite was platted by Magnus Miller, a post office was set up, and the name “Baker” was adopted. On the east bank of the river, the community that sprang up around the Washington Portland Cement Company was named “Cement City.” After the Superior Portland Cement Company plant was built in Baker in 1908, the two towns merged and became Concrete.

There are plenty of abandoned buildings that date back to the early days, like this old schoolhouse.

Sean Munson / Flickr

Walking through the historic downtown area feels like going back in time.

Becky McCray / Flickr

The North Cascades Vintage Aircraft Museum is an unexpected gem to people who are visiting from out of town or passing through.

Linley S / Flickr

5b’s Bakery on Main Street bakes some of the best pastries on the planet.

Richie D / Yelp They also have a full lunch menu and plenty of gluten free options.

The Baker River Bridge has spanned the river for decades.

Jasperdo / Flickr The bridge was the only link between the two halves of the city of Concrete. And yes, it’s still safe to use.

It’s pretty much impossible not to fall in love with Concrete.

Jasperdo / Flickr Pull over the next time you’re driving through Skagit County and check it out.

Believe it or not, Washington has a lot of tiny towns most people don’t know about – like the spots on this list.

Gord McKenna / Flickr

It’s about 40 miles from Mount Vernon and an hour from Bellingham.

Jasperdo / Flickr

When settlers came to the Baker River in 1871, they called the settlement “Minnehaha.” In 1890, the townsite was platted by Magnus Miller, a post office was set up, and the name “Baker” was adopted. On the east bank of the river, the community that sprang up around the Washington Portland Cement Company was named “Cement City.” After the Superior Portland Cement Company plant was built in Baker in 1908, the two towns merged and became Concrete.

Sean Munson / Flickr

Becky McCray / Flickr

Linley S / Flickr

Richie D / Yelp

They also have a full lunch menu and plenty of gluten free options.

Jasperdo / Flickr

The bridge was the only link between the two halves of the city of Concrete. And yes, it’s still safe to use.

Pull over the next time you’re driving through Skagit County and check it out.

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