T. G. Richards and Company Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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T.G. Richards and Company Store
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Built in 1858, this is the oldest brick building in Washington.
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| Location | 1308 E Street Bellingham, Whatcom County, Washington, United States |
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| Built | 1858 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000861 |
| Added to NRHP | August 28, 2003 |
The T.G. Richards and Company Store is a very old and important building in Washington. It's also known as the Whatcom County Courthouse and the James B. Steadman Post No. 24. This building is special because it's the first and oldest brick building in the entire state of Washington. It's so important that it's listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of the Oldest Brick Building
Building the Store in 1858
This two-story brick building was built in 1858. Two brothers, Thomas G. Richards and Charles E. Richards, worked together to build it. The project cost them about $8,000, which was a lot of money back then! A person named John Alexander helped manage the construction. He was a well-known settler from Whidbey Island.
The building was first used as a storehouse for the T. G. Richards Company. It supplied people who were traveling through the town of Whatcom. Many of these travelers were on their way to the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. The bricks used to build it came all the way from San Francisco. A ship named the Ann Parry brought 100,000 bricks to Bellingham Bay in July 1858. Another ship might have brought the windows and doors.
From Store to Courthouse
In 1863, the building was sold to Whatcom County for $2,000. The county wanted to use it as their third County Courthouse. Even though trials were held in Port Townsend, this building became known as the "Territorial Courthouse." This is because it served as the county courthouse before Washington became a state.
The building was also used as a jail. In 1873, a newspaper called the Bellingham Bay Mail moved in. By 1877, a pharmacy was operating on the first floor.
Changes Over Time
Protecting the Foundation
When it was first built, the store was very close to the bay's water. In 1874, a special wall called a breakwater was built. This helped protect the building's foundation from the sea.
New Additions and Moves
In 1883, more changes were made. A strong room called a vault was added. Five more jail cells were also built inside. However, by 1889, the building was thought to be unsafe. The county government offices and jail had to move to other places nearby. In 1891, the county moved into a brand new courthouse.
New Owners and Uses
From 1890 to 1891, a group called the Women's Relief Corps started renting the building. This group helped veterans of the American Civil War. By 1906, Whatcom County sold the building to private owners. It was bought by members of the Grand Army of the Republic, J. B. Steadman Post No. 24, and the Women's Relief Corps. These groups also helped veterans.
Over the years, the land around the building changed a lot. The tide flats were filled in, and E Street was raised. This meant that what used to be the first floor became the basement. The second floor became the new ground floor!
The building has had many different occupants since then. It was home to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. It also housed a Jehovah's Witness Church, Aker's Taxidermy, and The Northwest Passage newspaper. Later, it became a place for artists and pottery makers. The T.G. Richards and Company Store was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. It is currently being fixed up and made new again.
