The Legacy of Wilson Howard in Stehekin
As we celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary, the America250 initiative invites us to honor the full, diverse tapestry of our nation’s history. At The Lodge at Stehekin, a proud member of the Adventures Unbound family, we are using Black History Month to shine a light on the pioneers who carved a life out of the rugged North Cascades. By highlighting stories like that of Wilson Howard, we connect our remote valley’s heritage to a broader national journey of recognition and justice.
A Prospector’s Claim in the North Cascades
In the 1890s, the Stehekin Valley was a frontier for the bold, including Wilson Howard, one of only two documented African American miners in the North Cascades at the time. Howard braved the elements to stake several mining claims near a 15-acre lake at the base of McGregor Mountain, where he lived in a cabin and worked the land. For over a century, his name was essentially erased from the landscape, replaced by “Coon Lake”, a name widely regarded as a racial slur. Despite local lore suggesting the name came from raccoons, research confirmed there are no raccoons in Stehekin; the name was a derogatory mark left by those who followed him. It took over eight years of advocacy by community members and state leaders to restore his name to the map, a change finally recognized at the federal level in 2015.
A Landmark of Honor and Visibility
The official renaming of Howard Lake and Howard Creek represents a vital act of “historical restoration,” correcting a century-old wrong. Today, hikers passing the High Bridge Guard Station can visit the lake and honor the intrepid spirit of a man who saw potential in this remote wilderness long before it was a national destination. At the Lodge, we believe that understanding whose hands worked this land is essential to appreciating its beauty. To learn more about how we are celebrating these diverse stories of our national heritage, visit America250 at Adventures Unbound. You can also explore the full history of this hard-won victory for justice via KUOW News and The Seattle Globalist.
