Fairhaven Wa Blog

The Waldron Building, built in 1891 from bricks brought over on ships as ballast, originally housed the Bank of Fairhaven on it's street level has after 114 years become home to another bank.  Whidbey Island bank opened this week in it's new Fairhaven location in the recently renovated building.

 

The upper three levels of the Waldron Building has two luxury condominiums per floor as well as a lower level, which opens to McKenzie Alley.  This lower level space is still available for lease and would make an excellent location for most any business.  The Historic Fairhaven District has many other historic buildings within a three block radius to the Waldron.

 

Looking for a fun, funky and unusual event to attend?  Then look no further that the Urban Village of Historic Fairhaven in Bellingham, Washington and the home of the Pacific Northwest Rain Festival.

Take part in this brief, fun, usually goofy, mid-winter happening in the heart of Fairhaven--at the Fairhaven Village Green! This is an EVERYONE participatory event - and a good antidote for the winter blahs. 

With rain poetry, rain gear fashion show, music (about rain?), hot drinks (they're wet!), and a rain prediction at noon, this event is all about the weather we love and that makes the PNW home. All are welcome to enter a rain poem, enter the rain gear fashion show, bring a musical instrument and help make rain music.... Prizes from Fairhaven merchants. Come to Fairhaven, see the many colorful window displays featuring umbrellas, and join us for the fun!

 

Everyone is encouraged to particpate!  Write an original poem about the rain, then enter the judged contest in order to win prize.  Pull out your rain gear; mix and match and enter to win.

Can you plan music? Got an instrument? Bring it and join with others to make music. Rain music.

This is truly an authentic festival created in Fairhaven to celebrate our liquid sunshine.

For a detailed event description go to www.fairhaven.com

 

 

 

 

 

The Historic Fairhaven District kicks off the holidays the day after Thanksgiving with fun for all ages.

With the 100 year-old brick buildings decorated with cheer, a Victorian Santa will arrive grandly to the Fairhaven Village Green in a horse drawn carriage at 1:00 on Friday, November, 28th.  Carriage rides with donations benefiting the Old Fairhaven Association, will clop around the neighborhood from 1:00-4:00 both the 28th and Saturday, the 29th. Stroll around for musicians, carolers, thespians and visits by the Fairhaven Ladies of the Evening Society, while exploring the 20 evergreen trees in the free Magic Forest on the Fairhaven Village Green Stage. At 5:00 pm, there will be caroling in front of the forest by local groups. The forest will be open from 5:00-9:00 on Friday and all day Saturday. 

Put on your best Ebenezer Scrooge face and enter the Scrooge contest on the stage at 4:30 pm Friday. The grumpiest winner will receive a copy of Dicken's Christmas Carol, courtesy of Village Books.

The Green and entire Fairhaven District lights up with twinkling white lights just after the
contest.

 
The Tour D'Art Gallery Walk runs 5:00-9:00 both Friday, the 28th and Saturday, the 29th, featuring visiting artists and exhibits in many shops and galleries. Stop in for a look and a cup of hot cider, or get a head
start on unique holiday gifts. Candles will mark participating stores.  The Fairhaven Middle School Art Club plans to paint various business windows in a holiday theme. A gift wrapping booth by donation to charity will be available in front of the Toy Garden both days, and inside the store, children are welcome to make Victorian crafts.  On Saturday, Santa arrives at 1:00 by carriage, and rides are again available from 1:00-4:00.  For the entire schedule visit www.fairhaven.com

Fall color has arrived in Historic Fairhaven.  Enjoy a stroll around the district among the changing colors while starting your holiday shopping.  The district has shops ranging from boutiques to art galleries that will keep you busy.  And if there's time or you just need to walk off the wonderful meal you just had, be sure to continue north on 10th along the trail to the Taylor Street Dock for a better view of the bay and marine activities.

Sycamore Square is surrounded by color, with the best views from the Black Cat restaurant.  The colors continue down Harris Avenue with leaves dropping and creating an ambience that reminds me of childhood.  For upcoming holiday events in Fairhaven be sure to check www.fairhaven.com.

And if you decide you love Fairhaven and want to live in a fun, funky urban setting or just get more information you can check out www.bellinghamwacondos.com.

 

The Fairhaven Hotel(1889-1956) was, in my opinion, a masterpiece of historic architectural style.  The hotel rose approximately 60 feet above the street at 12th & Harris with a tower that was about 100 feet high.  Unfortunately, it was mostly lost due to a tragic fire and then demolished in the 1950's.   Mark Twain was a guest at the hotel in 1895.

The current property owners are looking into building a new hotel that would be based on the historic hotel.   Since the original blue prints still exist and they are incredible, it gives the architects something to work with other than just a photograph.  Of course, as you can imagine the city zoning codes have changed a bit over the years and height restrictions, setbacks, etc. will be a huge factor for this wonderful undertaking.

Currently, the Fairhaven district has two boutique hotels, which are the Village Inn and the Chrysalis Spa & Hotel.  This project would be a great addition to Fairhaven with the possibility of offering boutique hotel space, condominiums, offices as well as street level retail store fronts to add to the ambiance of our great community.

This proposed project would be an excellent replacement to the vacated gas station and old railroad cars, which currently call this Historic Fairhaven parcel home.  See www.fairhaven.com for more community information.

 (The site is on the left with the tall tree in the foreground)

 

 

Sunshine...  Walking among Historic architecture....  Music waifing around the district from the Village Green...  Dining at a cafe's outdoor patio.....  Window shopping at wonderful boutiques & Galleries....  Numerous events to choose from weekly.....  Views of the Bay and Alaska Ferry..... Trails & Boardwalks....  Outdoor movies every Saturday night....

Live a lifestyle in Historic Fairhaven!  Whether visiting or looking for a new place to hang your hat you can not beat the relaxing life in this quaint community in south Bellingham.  All amenities are at your doorstep from banks to grocery stores to pharmacies to restaurants to boutique shops to parks & trails.

Centrally located between Seattle & Vancouver B.C and perched at the south end of Bellingham Bay overlooking the San Juan Islands, Fairhaven is a hub of activity with access to the Alaska Ferry, Amtrak, Greyhound and ferries to the San Juan Islands and Victoria, Canada.

 From condominiums to historic homes there is a place for everyone.  For more information about the activities past and present in Fairhaven go to www.fairhaven.com  Bellingham and Fairhaven property information can be seen at www.bellinghamwacondos.com

 

  (Alaska Ferry departing Bellingham Bay with Lummi Island in the background)

 

 

 

 

It All Ends in Fairhaven.................. Ski to Sea weekend is here and the festivities have already begun with the Junior race last weekend. The Grand Parade is on Saturday, May 24th and the Race and Festival (did I say beer garden) on Sunday, May 25th, 2008.

The Old Fairhaven Association (OFA) sponsors and coordinates, with volunteers, the "It All Ends in Fairhaven" festival as an annual fundraiser to support the OFA's goals to preserve the historic district. Come to Fairhaven to enjoy the craft, food & non-profit vendors, see the racers at the finish line, admire the historic buildings and enjoy a beer in our beer garden featuring live music. Be sure to stop at the Information Booth sponsored by Fairhaven Realty to get your new "Green" Fairhaven Guide and walking tour maps.

For more information go to www.fairhaven.com

 

 

 

The Fairhaven District of Bellingham is growing and active featuring monthly events bringing many people into the District. Recent events in Fairhaven included Dirty Dan Days and Girls Night Out (GNO).

Dirty Dan Days is held on the last weekend of April every year and is an event honoring the founding father of Fairhaven, Daniel Jefferson Harris (AKA Dirty Dan). This two day festival is a great family oriented event held on the Village Green park located in the heart of the District. The weekend kicks off with the Alzheimers 5K Run/Walk and many activities on the Village Green; Salmon Toss, Oyster eating contest and live music. On Sunday the Chuckanut Chowder Cook-off and the Worlds Only Piano Race are the highlights of the day.

 

Girls Night Out welcomes everyone to Fairhaven to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Research. This fun event involves many of the merchants in the District who particpate with demonstrations, sales and coupons. The highlight of the evening is the Silent Auction and Fashion Show, which features fashions from the many stores in Fairhaven.

 For more information on Fairhaven events you can visit www.fairhaven.com

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