Ehrlich

Washington's ghost towns are mill towns and mining camps in country so green the forest is already taking them back.

Ehrlich is an extinct town in Skagit County, in the U.S. state of Washington. The settlement and accompanying rail station were originally named Theiler's Spur. The community was renamed Ehrlich around 1900 after F. O. Ehrlich established a shingle mill in the area. Ehrlich was built on land originally homesteaded by Joseph and Anna Theiler in 1886. Early settlers included Albert Fisher, who came in 1897, the Weppler family in 1895, and the family of Charles McInnes in 1901. A school was established along the west bank of Lake Creek in 1902.

The on-the-ground condition of Ehrlich is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Ehrlich is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Ehrlich is roughly 48.3539, -122.2333 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.