Fairhaven, Bellingham, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fairhaven Historic District
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Fairhaven
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Roughly bounded by 10th and 13th Sts., Columbia and Larrabee Aves. |
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| Nearest city | Bellingham, Washington |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001363 |
| Added to NRHP | August 19, 1977 |
Fairhaven (also known as Fairhaven Village) is a historic neighborhood in Bellingham, Washington. It was first settled in 1883 by a man named Dan Harris. In 1903, Fairhaven became an official part of the larger city of Bellingham. Today, it's a popular spot known for its unique history and charming old buildings.
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Exploring Fairhaven Today
Fairhaven is located on the south side of Bellingham. It sits right next to Bellingham Bay on its west side. To the northeast, you'll find Western Washington University.
Travel and Transportation
Fairhaven is an important place for travelers. Since 1989, it has been the starting point for the Alaska Marine Highway System. This is Alaska's state-run ferry system, which takes people and cars all the way to Alaska!
The Bellingham Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven also offers fun summer ferry trips. You can catch a boat to the beautiful San Juan Islands or even to Victoria, British Columbia, in Canada.
Right nearby is Fairhaven Station. This is a small center where you can catch different types of transportation. It's Bellingham's stop for the Amtrak Cascades train. You can also find the Greyhound bus depot here. From Fairhaven Station, it's easy to connect to local taxis or city buses.
Fun Things to Do
Fairhaven is a lively place with many activities. During the summer, you can enjoy outdoor movies every weekend. These movies are shown at the Pickford Outdoor Cinema, right in Fairhaven's historic area.
Fairhaven's Historic District
At the heart of Fairhaven is its special Historic District. This area is famous for its unique old-fashioned style. Here, you can find a seasonal farmer's market, lots of restaurants, and many interesting shops. It's a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to visit.
To keep its historic look, any new buildings in the district must match the traditional 19th-century style. This rule helps Fairhaven keep its charming, old-town feel.
Fairhaven's Story
The story of Fairhaven begins with Daniel Jefferson Harris. People often called him "Dirty Dan." He arrived in the Bellingham Bay area around 1853 or 1854. Dan Harris became friends with John Thomas, who had claimed some land near Padden Creek. Dan helped Thomas start building a cabin. However, John Thomas passed away before the cabin was finished.
Dan Harris then took over the land claim. He officially received the land in 1871. He also bought more land nearby. He named this whole area Fairhaven. The name comes from a local Native American name, "see-see-lich-em," which means "safe port" or "fair haven."
Founding the Town
In 1883, Dan Harris officially planned out the town of Fairhaven. He started selling pieces of land, called lots. As he became more successful, his reputation also improved. In 1885, he got married.
In 1888, Dan Harris sold most of his property in Fairhaven. He then moved to California. Two important people, Nelson Bennett and Charles Larrabee, then took over. They formed the Fairhaven Land Company. Charles Larrabee provided most of the money for this company.
A Growing City
Bennett and Larrabee wanted Fairhaven to become a very big city. They told people about the area's rich natural resources, good weather, and many opportunities. Because of their efforts, Fairhaven grew very quickly. Its population jumped from about 150 people in 1889 to 8,000 by the end of 1890!
Part of this growth happened when the Fairhaven Land Company bought a tiny nearby settlement called Bellingham. This small town had a post office since 1883.
The Railroad Dream
Fairhaven, like many other cities in Washington, hoped to become the main stop for the Great Northern Railroad. This was a big competition in the late 1870s and mid-1880s. However, the railroad eventually chose Seattle as its main terminal.
Even though Fairhaven didn't get the railroad, its population kept growing. People also continued to build beautiful buildings in the 19th-century style. Fairhaven officially became a town on May 13, 1890.
During the 1890s, people were very excited about making money from land. A grand building called the Fairhaven Hotel was built. It was meant to attract important railroad leaders to choose Fairhaven. But the railroads never came. The impressive old hotel stood until it was destroyed by a fire and torn down in 1953.
Becoming Bellingham
On October 27, 1903, the people of Fairhaven and a nearby city called Whatcom City voted. They decided to join together and form one big city. They named this new city Bellingham. On December 28, 1903, the city of Bellingham was officially created.
In 1903, Fairhaven received money to build its first library. This library was funded by Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman who helped build many libraries. The library is on 12th Street and still operates today as a branch of the Bellingham Public Library system.
Salmon Canning History
Fairhaven also has a strong connection to salmon canning. From the late 1800s to the 1940s, many businesses in Fairhaven canned salmon. These operations employed a lot of people, sometimes as many as 4,500 workers! In the 1940s, a company called Pacific American Fisheries had its main office in Fairhaven. It was known as the largest salmon canning business in the world.
