Diablo, Washington
Diablo, Washington | |
|---|---|
Diablo, Washington | |
Diablo, Washington | |
| Coordinates: 48°42′48″N 121°08′28″W / 48.71333°N 121.14111°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Whatcom |
| Government | |
| • Type | Company town |
| • Company | Seattle City Light |
| Area | |
• Total | 69 acres (28 ha) |
| Elevation | 896 ft (273 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code | 98283 |
| Area code(s) | 360, 564 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1518740 |
Diablo is an unincorporated community in Whatcom County, Washington, United States. It is located near Diablo Dam in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, along the Skagit River. The community was established as a company town in the late 1920s by Seattle City Light to support the construction of Diablo Dam, one of three major dams that form the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project. Seattle City Light continues to maintain operations in Diablo, but now works with the National Park Service and the North Cascades Institute to offer educational and recreational opportunities within the area.
The town has two sections; these are known as Hollywood (formerly Cedar Bar) and Reflector Bar, which are connected by a single access road. Between the two areas lies the Diablo Dam powerhouse and an electrical substation. Diablo does not have a post office; it is considered part of Rockport, Washington, for postal purposes. The town is accessible via Washington State Route 20 and is approximately 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Rockport.
Diablo takes its name from Diablo Canyon, which early prospectors and miners named, either for the difficulty of traversing it, or after a landmark in the American Southwest. Today, Diablo is known for its proximity to recreational destinations such as Diablo Lake, and for the many trails, campgrounds, and historic sites in the area.