The Sudden Boom of McMurray

A charming little lake, a gem of surprising beauty, sparkling amid the giants of the forest, in the grandest timber district of Skagit county, surrounded by fertile valleys and hills rich in coal, building stone, and clay, Lake McMurray leaps into view as you are whirled by the iron horse to the new and vigorous little town of McMurray. About one month ago, the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railway Company recognized the importance of the location and invested about $8,000 in permanent improvements. They built a large freight and passenger depot, a long side track, and a water tank. The townsite is a natural one, with an abundant supply of cold water from living springs sufficient for a city of 6,000 inhabitants. The McMurray Cedar Lumber Company, backed by nearly half a million dollars, is building one of the largest modern sawmills on Puget Sound. The output will reach about 100,000 feet of lumber and 75,000 shingles per day. One sash and door factory employing fifty men has expressed their intention of locating their plant here, and the sawmill will give employment to over 100 men. This region is also underlaid with a superior quality of coal, which was discovered eighteen years ago but was previously inaccessible. Now, however, the railway has brought it into touch with capital and labor. One thing is certain: McMurray is assured a brilliant future as a busy manufacturing town.