Baring, Washington
Census-designated place in the United States in King County · Not an incorporated municipality
About Baring
Baring is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 255 at the 2020 census, up from 220 at the 2010 census. It is located on U.S. Highway 2 about 23 miles (37 km) west of Stevens Pass, along a very flat and straight three-mile section of highway that has been dubbed the "Baring Straight" (a play on the Bering Strait between Alaska and Russia), since US-2 is otherwise hilly and curvy through the mountains.
The settlement was first known as "Salmon", but by 1909 it was known as Baring.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Baring is governed
Baring appears to be an unincorporated community or a census-designated place, so it may have no city government of its own — services usually come from King County and its elected officials. The chart below is a generic template; readers can correct it if Baring does have local officials.
Form of government not yet listed.
0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Baring
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
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The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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Population over time
From 233 in 2000 to 255 in 2020 (+9.4%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 255 |
| 2010 | 220 |
| 2000 | 233 |
History
The towns in the Skykomish River valley were established based on the railway and the roads built to cross the Cascade Mountains at Stevens Pass. In the late 19th century during the expansion of the Great Northern Railway, the railway's chief locating engineer, John F. Stevens, surveyed the area and identified Stevens Pass as the ideal route for crossing the North Cascades. The first train passed through in June 1893. Early road development in the area included the Skykomish Tote Road, connecting towns along the rail line, which can be seen in photographs and maps from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In 1912, local citizens established a Good Roads Club to promote the construction of a cross-Cascades highway. By 1913, King, Chelan, and Snohomish counties collaborated on the Cascade Scenic Highway project (King County Road No. 999), which was surveyed the same year. However, completion of the highway was delayed due to World War I, funding, and construction obstacles. King County finished its 28-mile section by 1917, but the first automobiles did not cross until 1924, with the official opening taking place in July 1925.
The Cascade Scenic Highway and Stevens Pass Highway (now US 2) played a key role in the region's development by improving access and connectivity. The Stevens Pass Highway became State Road 15 in the 1930s, and was later realigned, paved, and renamed multiple times before ultimately becoming US 2 in the late 1940s.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.