La Conner was founded in the early 1860's and is the oldest town in Skagit County. First settled by non-natives just after the Civil War, early arrival and merchant John Conner renamed "Swinomish" after his wife, Louisa A. Conner around 1876. La Conner soon became a popular farm community and hub for the steamers carrying passengers and freight from Seattle. Logging and fishing prospered until the Depression closed down many businesses. Artists have settled in the area since the 1940's, enjoying the unique light and inspiration from nature. By the 1970's tourists had discovered the area too, along with folks seeking the peace and slower pace of an small, old fashioned town.
Today La Conner is a balance of families who work and live here, the Swinomish people across the channel and an influx of visitors enjoying all the seasons of this unique town. It is the logical destination for the city dweller or the traveler who needs a place to relax for awhile, maybe browse through some interesting shops and art galleries, talk to the locals, watch the waterfront activity, sample one of La Conner's fine restaurants and enjoy a variety of accommodations. The fertile farmland continues to produce food and seed crops and the famous tulip and daffodil bulbs. Specialty nurseries in the area provide material for landscapers and gardeners all over the Northwest. The nineties have seen the arrival of the new and highly respected Museum of Northwest Art and the creation of Maple Center, a community hall for performances, town meetings and the enjoyment of all. La Conner is on the National Register of Historic places and the County Historical Museum located in town is full of treasures belonging to many original town residents.