Have You Been Saying This Great Washington State City Name Wrong?

There are often at least two ways of pronouncing a word or a name.

In the case of the name of a town, those two ways might be: how the locals pronounce it, and how everyone else might pronounce it.

How Did The Town of Sedro-Woolley, Washington Get Its Name?

Sedro-Woolley is a city located in Skagit County, Washington. The name "Sedro-Woolley" is a combination of two older towns, Sedro and Woolley, that were located near each other. The town of Sedro was originally named by the Northern Pacific Railway in the 1880s. The name "Sedro" is believed to have been derived from the Native American word "Cedro" which means cedar tree. The town of Woolley was named after Samuel Woolley, who was one of the early settlers in the area.

The two towns merged to become Sedro-Woolley in 1898. The merger was largely motivated by the desire to attract the railroad to the area, which would bring economic development and growth. The new city of Sedro-Woolley was officially incorporated on December 19, 1898. Sedro-Woolley has often been referred to as 'The Gateway to the North Cascades'.

Why is Sedro-Woolley Known as the Gateway to the North Cascades?

Sedro-Woolley is known as the "Gateway to the North Cascades" because it is located near the entrance to North Cascades National Park, which is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, and fishing. The Skagit River certainly provides some excellent fishing opportunities and has long been a favorite of mine to fish for "pink' salmon or 'humpies' as my late father-in-law used to call them. They return to the Skagit every other year.

The North Cascades are a mountain range located in the northern part of Washington, and they are known for their rugged beauty, stunning glaciers, and abundant wildlife. The area is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and Sedro-Woolley is the last major town before reaching the park entrance.

How Do You Pronounce Sedro-Woolley?

As I mentioned earlier, there are two town names here, that have been joined by a hyphen for the common good, or at least that's what the consensus was in 1898.

Sedro and Woolley. Together, is properly pronounced: see·drow wu·lee

RELATED:  The 15 Hardest Town Names to Pronounce in Washington

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