This brief history tells the story of a small valley in Washington State's North Cascades. Over the century since its discovery, it has been developed into a National Parks and Recreation Area, and a large hydroelectric resource that supplies much of Seattle's power. First there were the gold miners who came in 1880 and returned in 1908. Next came the homesteaders who fought the weather and the government for their land. After World War I, Seattle City Light gained control of the Skagit. Would they ever finish building the first dam at Gorge Creek? Why did the Mayor fire J.D. Ross, Seattle City Light's superintendent? What was the Old Skagit Tour like? Construction o all Skagit dams was difficult. The weather and the geology made completion of the project a notable achievement. Building the Skagit is one example of the struggles that have led to the development of our nation's natural resources