Gold Bar is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. It is located on the Skykomish River between Sultan and Index, connected by U.S. Route 2. The population was 2,075 at the 2010 census. Take a look below for 15 interesting and awesome facts about Gold Bar, Washington, United States.

1. The area around modern-day Gold Bar was occupied by the Skykomish, a branch of the Snohomish people, prior to the arrival of American settlers.

2. The Skykomish had a permanent village near Gold Bar that was named ‘xaitɬd.

3. Gold Bar started as a prospectors camp in 1869, named by a miner who found traces of gold on a river gravel bar.

4. After Gold Bar became a construction camp for the Great Northern Railway, anti-Chinese sentiment was inflamed by a shooting fray started by disreputable camp followers.

5. To save the lives of the threatened Chinese, construction engineer Eduard Bauer slipped them out of camp in hastily constructed coffins.

6. Gold Bar was officially incorporated on September 16, 1910. 

7. The 1940 population was 307.

8. In 2012, the city government considered disincorporation to avoid bankruptcy due to low sales tax revenue and high expenses attributed to filling public records requests and fighting lawsuits from an activist.

9. The city council voted against disincorporation and placed a property tax levy on the ballot, which was rejected by voters in November 2012.

10. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.03 square miles (2.67 km2), all of it land. The city center is bordered to the south by the Skykomish River and to the north by Mays Creek.

11. Gold Bar is adjacent to Wallace Falls State Park, located 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast.

12. The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Gold Bar has a marine west coast climate, abbreviated “Cfb” on climate maps.

13. Gold Bar is known as a white-water rafting destination for those seeking to float the Skykomish River.

14. One of the most popular low elevation hikes in the metro Seattle area, the trail to Wallace Falls, is located on the north margin of the city. More than 160,000 people visit Wallace Falls State Park annually.

15. Gold Bar hosts the Gold Dust days every fourth weekend in July. It is a street fair with vendors selling wares, local music, and food. Traditionally, there is also a car show that takes place on the Saturday of the weekend.