Sedro-Woolley was founded on a can-do spirit brought by hard working folks as they made their way into the great forests of the area. This tradition of hard work and community was well documented by photographer Darius Kinsey whose works are on display in town and at the Sedro-Woolley Museum. The downtown is decorated with historical murals, large cedar statues carved by chainsaw and hand finished, and attractive gas lamp replicas.
This mural artist signs his name with a Bible verse. On this one it’s Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
This signature is hard to see but it’s Fredrick Sutliffe again and the Bible verse posted on this mural was John 3:16~
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Until it closed in October 2010, Holland Drugs of Sedro-Woolley was the oldest continuously operated business in Skagit county outside of LaConner. Its roots began in 1889 in the old town of Sedro on the north shore of the Skagit river as one of the first businesses near Mortimer Cook’s original general store. Seventeen-year-old Albert E. Holland arrived in old Sedro on July 15, 1886, and was immediately hired by Cook to be his clerk. Holland parlayed his original drug store into one of the largest pioneer fortunes in Sedro-Woolley.
1 John 4:8 ~ “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
This looked like the newest mural on the side of a Mexican Restaurant.
The Bible reference from Fredrick on this one is Rom. 6:23 ~ “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This very large mural is painted on the side of a building that defines part of the outdoor space called Hammer Heritage Square in honor of the Hammer family, pioneers here from the 19th century.
The artist signed his work in the form of a wanted poster. Madd Artist. Name: John Maddox-Alias: The Bald Dude-Last Spotted: Fighting the Mural Deadline-Crime: Brush onslaught with the intent to paint- Gang Members: I won’t list them all. At the very bottom it says In Memory of Bill Bowley +.
This chain saw carving by Phil Finton won 4th place in 1999 at the Loggerodeo Chainsaw Carving Contest.
Loggerodeo is an annual event held on July 4th in Sedro-Woolley, the chainsaw carving capitol of Washington State and the Pacific Northwest.
Daddy’s Little Logging Princess. I didn’t get a closeup on who carved this one. There were several other carvings along Metcalf Street in the historic business area of Sedro-Woolley.
Sedro-Woolley was a fun stop on Dear and my Fall drive in the early part of October to areas of the Skagit Valley. It would be interesting to head out to this town on the 4th of July with ear plugs to see the chainsaw carving contest in action.
I’m linking up to ABC Wednesday for S is for Sedro-Woolley. Thank you Mrs. Nesbitt and Roger’s team of ABC’ers for keeping us all in line.
I’ve decided to add one more link for this post called Our World Tuesday.
Speaking of saws, there is a noisy one in action in our basement today as Dear is framing out a niche that has needed attention for a long time. He will be adding shelves to the space that I get to fill up. That’s dangerous. Before and after photos to come after completion. Yikes! Thanksgiving is next week!
Have heard of Sedro Woolley and would love to visit there.
Well! I learn something new every time i visit you Ellen… Most interesting meme,
I particilarly like the extracts from the Bible, particularly 1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not
love does not know God because God is love.
I would have liked to have met Sedro Woolley, sounds like an amazing character.
Hope your dearest clears the corner to your suitable requirements,
best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
You must be hosting!
I enjoyed seeing the murals…talented artists who created them.
Love these photos ♥
I haven’t been to downtown Sedro-Woolley for a long time. It’s very interesting! Thanks, Ellen!
wonderful photo’s Ellen of things with lots of historie
Have a wonderful ABC-day / – week
♫ M e l ☺ d y ♫ (abc-w-team)
http://melodymusic.nl/a-b-c-wednesday-19-s/
Ellen, what an interesting post this is! I love the murals and chainsaw statues, they are incredible! It looks like a great stop when traveling. 😎
Wonderful murals depicting the history of a very interesting place. Thanks for sharing.
A wonderful collection of murals and I love that some are signed with a bible verse too, adding extra meaning.
We have a part-time place not too far away in Bellingham. We had a revitalized logger spots last summer that included a chainsaw carving contest. Now we have some neat statues around town. – Margy
How interesting and I love the murals.
I don’t think I have ever been to Sedro Wooley. I know the name of the town but I never drove through (as far as I remember…). It was an interesting tour. Thanks!
A fascinating little city! It’s really neat to see a place showing pride in their history. I would certainly have recognized the name as being in Washington , but don’t remember actually visiting it. We were in Reedsport Oregon one summer when they had heir Chainsaw carving show and competition. By all means take heavy duty earplugs if you ever go.
love the mural, and it’s a good use of the space
ROG, ABCW
A fascinating place, thanks for showing us around. One chainsaw is usually enough for me although I appreciate the skill.
I heard a neighbor sawing just before I read your post. At first I thought he was moaning about something. lol. I enjoyed your post. I like how many communities use murals to tell their story.
A wonderful look back.