Fairhaven Wa Blog

Fairhaven Veterans Memorial Flag Raised

The final piece fell into place or should I say rose into place today. Considering at 5am it was snowing and I was thinking "you got to be kidding me", it all came together! And incredibly beautiful weather to boot. The Flag raising and dedication ceremony for the Fairhaven Veterans Memorial Flag Pole was a wonderful event with a great turn out of Fairhaven Merchants, Veterans, neighbors and other community folks.

The program included the Old Fairhaven Association President, Amy Nicol of Peoples Bank-Fairhaven Branch and our major donars; Ram Construction & Ebenal General. We also had the Veterans, who put up the original Flag pole on hand to crank the Flag up the 100 foot pole along with other Vets as it was quite the task. Bellingham's Mayor, Dan Pike was on hand to say a few words as well as help with keeping the Flag off the ground as the wind picked up. It was quite spectacular and I wish you all could of been there to see & feel the excitement as the Flag rustle in the wind as it took it's steady journey to the top. To stand beneath it listening to it rustle as it flows through the wind and feel the meaning behind the Fairhaven Veterans Memorial Flag Pole and Memorial Wall is a powerful feeling.

A year in the making. And two years, four months after the sad day that the wood flag pole fell.

Historic Fairhaven

The charming Fairhaven District of Bellingham, Washington has become an excellent holiday location with many people returning to stay permanently. Located on the shores of Bellingham Bay overlooking the San Juan islands the Fairhaven District has many things to offer visitors and locals alike. Having the main transportation hub located at the end of Harris Avenue, which features Greyhound, AmTrak, Water Taxis to the islands & Canada and the Alaska Marine Highway Terminal allows alternative transportation to and from the area.

History and recreation opportunities are abundant in Fairhaven. From the Walking Tour Map that guides you to the Historical buildings and Historical Markers along the Streets to the city trails that lead you along the waterfront boardwalk or out to the Interurban along Chuckanut Drive. The monthly festivals inviting all into Fairhaven either celebrating the history or quirkiness of the District give opportunities for everyone to enjoy an activity. Not to mention the boutique shopping, art gallery's, hotels & spas, Wednesday Farmers Market and Saturday's Outdoor Cinema on the Village Green during the summer months.

For more information on the Historic Fairhaven District go to www.fairhaven.com

 Walking Along Harris Avenue in Historic Fairhaven

 Pie Eating Contest during the Dirty Dan Days Festival April 2007

 Wednesday Farmers Market on the Village Green 

 Fairhaven Veterans Memorial Flag Pole Installation

Today, Whatcom Skagit Crane Service rolled a giant crane into Fairhaven to lift the 110' steel Flag Pole into it's finally resting spot. Unfortunately, the streets had to be closed for a short time (sorry for the inconvenience), but just think you were part of the process. It was quite the spetical watching the pole being placed on top two 1 ton trucks, which moved in tandom the one block to the corner of Finnegan & 12th Streets.   

Yesterday I learned of another sector of the community that is happy to see the Flag Pole go back up. The boating community had used the pole as a point of reference, as it could be seen rising high above the buildings around it and now after two year and four months it is back. It has been a wonderful feeling to talk to the many different people that are excited about the Flag Pole going back up.

I am extremely grateful to the all the generous people that have donated their time & money to this project. Especially, Steve Wynkoop of Washington Industrial (he spent the day welding the pole sections together) and Ram Construction who has provided the labor, materials and equipment in-kind. A list of all the donars can be found at www.fairhaven.com along with information and pictures of the process. 

A year in the making! The new 110' steel internal halyard white powder coated flag pole has finally arrived in Fairhaven. On March 12th Ram Construction welded the three sections together and now the pole awaits for erection into it's final resting point at the right-of-way at 12th & Finnegan Way on March 21st. The Dedicaton & Flag raising will take place at noon on March 24th, where three of the orginal Veterans will be on hand to raise the flag. Visit www.fairhaven.com to tour the photo gallery of the process.

History: In 1989 a small group of Veterans dedicated a 110' cedar flag pole and memorial at the corner of Mill & 12th. In 2003 the pole and memorial were moved across the street to make room for the construction of a new mixed use condominium building. Then in the early morning hours of a blustery November day in 2005 the cedar pole came crashing down across Finnegan Way, due to the high wind & unknown internal rot. Fortunately, no cars, pedestrials, cyclists or buildings were damanged in the incident. But it was a sad day in Fairhaven.

On March 4th, 1885 the founder of Fairhaven, Daniel Jefferson Harris (aka Dirty Dan) raised the first 110' cedar pole in celebration of the inaugeration of Grover Cleveland as President of the United States. So to celebrate the founding father of Fairhaven we have worked to have the new pole errected during the same month.

As Chairperson for the Flag Pole Committee for the Old Fairhaven Association I have been planning and raising funds for this project for the past year. It is very exciting to physically touch the new pole and be days away from seeing the Flag flying high over Fairhaven again in memory of all Veterans. The labor & equipment donated by Ram Construction & crew and the long day of welding provided by Steve Wynkoop of Washington Marine Repair is greatly appreciated by everyone!

Fund raising still continues to put the final touches on the Fairhaven Veterans Memorial Park. The plans include two benches, a garbage can, flowers for the existing planters, picnic table and an on-going maintenance fund for the flag pole & flag. If you would like to contribute to this wonderful memorial or would like more information, please contact me at realtorstephanie@msn.com or by mail at Old Fairhaven Assocation, c/o Stephanie Johnson, 1100 11th Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 or www.fairhaven.com