This county has long been considered to be one of the most scenic counties in eastern Washington. This region has an intriguing history, but in numerous ways it has changed very little since the turn of the century.
Lake Chelan, which is one of the major attractions of this county today, remains a breathtakingly beautiful expanse of water even to this day. It has become a major resort area, and many of the large old Victorian houses of early pioneers still stand today.
The once famous mining camp of Old Holden, where prospectors and miners mined gold, silver, and other ore for so many years, is no more. The old community of Stenckin still prevails today, 55 miles west of the town of Lake Chelan, at the headwaters of this lake.
There is little mining activity on those once boasted about streams. Creeks like, Railroad and Cascade, but there is still places within this county that almost remain unchanged. One of those areas is the Blewett Pass region in the southern part of this county. Miners returning from the Fraser River strikes in British Columbia discovered the first Swauk placer gold in 1858.
Here along placer creeks like, Negro, Shaser, Ingalls, and other streams in the surrounding hills, the mining bonanza days of yesteryear are only a step away.
Today Old Blewett or the "Camp" as it was called in the early years has vanished but has not been forgotten.
CAMP CHELAN-Near The East Side Of Town On Private Land, Just Off State Route 150.
CHELAN-Community Established Around 1881.
AZWELL-Community Established Around "Date Unknown."
HOLDEN-Community Established Around 1896.
STEHEKIN-Community Established Around 1880s.
TRINITY-Community Established In The Late 1800's.
Location: South End Of Lake Chelan. On Hwy. 97
Location: Above Wells Dam.
Location: 11 Miles Above The West Shore Of Lake Chelan.
Location: Nestled Beneath High Peaks At The Head Of Lake Chelan.
