The first trading post on the Swinomish flats was established in 1867 on the present site of La Conner by Alonzo Low. Thomas Hayes became the next Swinomish trader of record after Low abandoned the region, and during Hayes's time the Swinomish Post Office was established. In 1869 John S. Conner and his wife, Louisa Ann, came to La Conner and purchased the Swinomish Trading Post. In 1870 the La Conner Post Office succeeded the Swinomish Post Office. The land on which the town was located was taken up by J.J. Conner, who platted the Town of La Conner in 1872, then sold the town site to his cousin, John S. Conner, who named it after his wife, Louisa Ann Conner.