Fairhaven Wa Blog

 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

Located in the northwest corner of Washington state the city of Bellingham is located on the Interstate 5 corridor between the two metropolitan cities of Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia.  With the Cascade Mountain range to the east and the San Juan Islands in the Pacific to the West Whatcom County is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts.

Bellingham's Historic Fairhaven District is situated on the southside of the city abutting Bellingham & Harris Bay's.  Fairhaven was platted in 1883 by Daniel Jefferson Harris.  At that time the Town of Fairhaven consisted of 85 blocks 200 feet square.  Dan then sold 238 of the 50 X 100 lots and by the end of the year grossed approximately $22,000.00.  That same year he spent $16,000.00 of the proceeds to build the three story Fairhaven Hotel at 4th & Harris with a deep water dock.  In 1889 Dan sold the remaining lots and unplatted acreage to the railroad for $75,000.00.  Dan died in Los Angeles in 1890, but by 1896 when the Washington portion of his estate was settled the local property values had plummeted and his five heirs each received $33.93.  For those history buffs, the life of Daniel Jefferson Harris, "Dirty Dan"  was legendary.  Ralph W. Thacker has published a book featuring Newspaper clippings on the life and death of Dan Harris.  Then there is the Folktales book by Michael Sean Sullivan captivating readers with the many entertaining stories of the salty old timer who was a smuggler that created a city to build his fortune.

Current day Fairhaven retains the historic charm and character of yesteryear.  This now bustling community was brought back to life in the 70's by the Imus family and others who put their money & heart into the community.  The Fairhaven Historical Brochure, organized and produced by the Old Fairhaven Association keeps the history alive via a walking tour of the historic buildings and their lively pasts.  A local fellow, Jim Rich has become our official "Dan Harris" and can be retained to lead historical walking tours throughout the district.

Over the past five years the Fairhaven District has attracted developers who have constructed several mixed-use commercial & residential buildings.  Condominium life in Fairhaven is thriving and almost all the residential and retail unts are occupied.  The latest project to be completed is the Waldron Young Condominiums, which is a historical restoration of the Waldron building.  The five story Waldron building was constructed in 1885 by C.W. Waldron using bricks that were used as ballast in the ships arriving in the bay.  Unfortunately, Seattle was chosen as the port city so the upper floors of the Waldron building were left unfinished and C.W. Waldron's bank & investment went promptly under.  Today, this incredible building has been completely renovated and consists of two floors of commercial space and three floors of luxury condominiums taking in the views of Fairhaven, San Juan Islands and beautiful water views.  The Young building is new construction with an old world flair and pacific northwest contemporary styling.  For additional information on this project check out www.thewaldron.com.

If you would like further information about the wonderful Historic Fairhaven District, feel free to contract me at 360-739-9625.