Liberty
Washington's First Gold Rush Town
Liberty is the oldest gold mining town in Washington State. Gold was discovered here in 1873, and by the 1880s the town had saloons, hotels, and a Chinese community of placer miners. While most miners left by the 1910s, a few residents remain today, making Liberty a 'semi-ghost' town.
Washington's Gold Country
While California and Alaska get most of the gold rush attention, Washington had its own strikes. Liberty was the state's first significant gold discovery, and the Swauk Mining District produced gold for decades. The placers were worked by both white and Chinese miners.
Slow Fade
Unlike many boom-and-bust towns, Liberty declined slowly. Gold mining continued into the 20th century, and some prospectors still pan the creeks today. A handful of permanent residents keep the town from complete abandonment.
Timeline
- 1873 - Discovery Gold discovered in Swauk Creek
- 1880s - Peak Population reached 1,000
- 1910s - Decline Most miners departed
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Summer
Difficulty: Easy
Time Needed: 1 hour
Tips
- Respect private property
- Some historic buildings remain
Quick Facts
- Washington's oldest gold mining town
- Chinese miners worked the placers here
- Some gold panning still occurs today
Location
Address: Liberty, Washington
Coordinates: 47.2539, -120.6675