Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Map of the sites in the reserve.
Location	Island County, Washington, US
Nearest city	Coupeville, Washington
Area	19,333 acres (78.24 km2)
Established	November 10, 1978
Governing body	National Park Service
Website	Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve

Jacob & Sarah Ebey House and Blockhouse

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is a special place on Whidbey Island in Washington. It is managed by the National Park Service. This reserve helps protect important history and beautiful nature. It is located near the town of Coupeville.

What is Ebey's Landing?

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is like a living museum. It protects the history of how people explored and settled the Puget Sound area. This includes events from the 1800s until today.

You can see old farms here. They are still growing crops, just like they did when settlers first arrived in the 1850s. These settlers claimed land using a law called the Donation Land Claim Act.

The nearby town of Coupeville is also part of the reserve. It is one of the oldest towns in Washington.

Places to Explore

The reserve includes several interesting spots. These are great for learning and exploring:

• Fort Casey State Park
• Fort Ebey State Park
• A part of the long Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

The Central Whidbey Island Historic District is also inside the reserve. This district has historic buildings like the Sergeant Clark House. It also includes the old Coupeville grain wharf. This area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another protected area is the Admiralty Inlet Natural Area Preserve.

A Look at the Past

The reserve at Ebey's Landing shows us a clear picture of history in the Pacific Northwest.

• In 1792, Captain George Vancouver was one of the first to explore Puget Sound.
• Later, in 1850, a man named Colonel Isaac Ebey claimed land here. He used the Donation Land Claim Act.
• More people came to the area because of the Oregon Trail and the move westward.
• The Donation Land Laws (from 1850 to 1855) helped more people settle.
• The town of Coupeville continued to grow and develop over time.

Who Manages This Special Place?

Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is different from many other national parks. It includes land owned by many different groups. This means it has federal, state, county, and private properties all mixed together.

The reserve was officially started on November 10, 1978. It is managed by a local group called a trust board. This group works together to protect the area. Only a small part of the reserve, about 209 acres, is owned by the federal government.