Bellingham history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the area where Bellingham is located today goes back to deep antiquity. Originally, these lands were inhabited by the Coast Salish tribes — the Lummi and the Nooksack, who valued the region's rich natural resources.

The European name for the bay was given by Captain George Vancouver in 1792 in honour of Sir William Bellingham, the Controller of Storekeeper's Accounts for the Royal Navy. However, the modern city appeared on the map much later. The actual birthday of Bellingham is considered to be 1903, when the official merger of four independent settlements developing around the bay took place:

• Whatcom — the oldest settlement, founded in 1852 near the waterfalls;
• Sehome — emerged thanks to coal mines;
• Bellingham — a small settlement between the neighbours;
• Fairhaven — a thriving district that aspired to be the terminus of the railway.

Key Formation Factors

The transformation of scattered villages into an important regional centre was driven by several factors:

• The Gold Rush of 1858: The discovery of gold on the Fraser River in Canada turned the quiet Bellingham Bay into a bustling transit point. Thousands of prospectors arrived here to begin their journey north, which gave a powerful boost to trade and infrastructure.
• Natural Resources: The discovery of coal deposits in the 1850s attracted investors from California. The mine in the Sehome area became one of the first major industrial sites.
• Geography and Port: The deep-water bay, protected by islands, provided ideal conditions for shipping, allowing resources to be exported to markets in San Francisco and other cities.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the economy of the future city was built on "three pillars": coal, timber, and fish. Vast forests contributed to a logging boom, and the coastal waters were rich in salmon, leading to the flourishing of the canning industry.

The cultural life of that time was typical of the frontier: a mix of hard labour and ambitious hopes. Fairhaven, for example, was built up with majestic brick buildings in anticipation of becoming the terminus of the Great Northern Railway. Although the railway chose a different route, this period left the city with a rich architectural heritage in the Fairhaven Historic District.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1792: Captain George Vancouver maps the bay and names it in honour of Sir William Bellingham.
• 1852: Construction of a sawmill at Whatcom Creek marks the beginning of a permanent settlement in the area.
• 1854: Discovery of coal deposits leads to the creation of a mine in Sehome and the first industrial boom.
• 1858: The Fraser River Gold Rush temporarily turns the local port into a key transit point for thousands of prospectors.
• 1889: The Fairhaven district experiences a construction boom, expecting to become the terminus of the Great Northern Railway.
• 1893: An educational institution is founded, which would subsequently grow into Western Washington University.
• 1903: Four independent settlements — Whatcom, Sehome, Bellingham, and Fairhaven — officially merge into a single city.
• 1927: The opening of the Mount Baker Theatre takes place, becoming an architectural gem and cultural centre of the region.
• 1960s: The construction of the Interstate 5 (I-5) highway ensures rapid connection with Seattle and Vancouver.
• 1989: Bellingham becomes the southern terminal of the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system, linking Washington state with Alaska.
• 2018: The opening of Waypoint Park on the site of a former paper mill launches a large-scale renovation of the city waterfront.

Stages of Development and Key Transformations

The history of Bellingham is a journey from a resource hub to a modern university city with a developed service sector. Below are the key milestones that shaped its current economic and cultural appearance:

• Administrative Consolidation (1903)
  The merger of four independent settlements (Whatcom, Fairhaven, Sehome, and Bellingham) into one city.
  Significance: Consolidation of resources and the cessation of local competition allowed for the creation of a unified urban infrastructure and laid the foundation for stable growth in the 20th century.
• Industrialisation and the Rise of Fishing (Early 20th Century)
  Development of logging and the opening of the largest cannery, Pacific American Fisheries.
  Significance: This period provided the economic base of the city and an influx of population. Revenues from industry allowed for the construction of many historic buildings that today form the tourist appeal of the Fairhaven district.
• Establishment of an Educational Centre (Mid-20th Century)
  Transformation of the teacher's college into Western Washington University (WWU).
  Significance: The emergence of a major university diversified the economy, reducing dependence on resource extraction. The student community brought a progressive culture to the city and stimulated the development of small businesses and the arts.
• Transport Integration (1960s)
  Construction of the Interstate 5 (I-5) highway.
  Significance: The road firmly linked Bellingham with economic centres — Seattle and Vancouver. This accelerated the influx of new residents and tourists, turning the city into an important link in the Pacific corridor.
• Opening of Ferry Service to Alaska (1989)
  Bellingham became the southern terminal of the Alaska Marine Highway system.
  Significance: The city received the status of "Gateway to Alaska," which attracted a flow of transit tourists and strengthened the hotel and restaurant sectors of the economy.
• Waterfront Renovation (21st Century)
  Closure of the Georgia-Pacific pulp and paper mill and the beginning of the coastline reconstruction.
  Significance: Transition from heavy industry to "green" urbanism. Freeing up the waterfront opened access to the bay for residents, creating new park zones and areas for eco-friendly housing and business.

Architectural Mosaic: From Brick to Glass

The architectural appearance of Bellingham is unique in that the city was formed from four independent settlements. This created a polycentric structure where each historic district has its own distinctive style, reflecting the ambitions and economic state of its era.

Era of Railway Hopes (Late 19th Century)

The Fairhaven district is a reserve of Victorian architecture. During the period of waiting for the status of a railway terminus, construction here was built "to last," using massive brick and stone to impress investors and future residents.

• Styles: Richardsonian Romanesque and Victorian Commercial style.
• Characteristic features: Arched windows, rough stone plinths, decorative brick cornices, bay windows, and corner turrets.
• Iconic objects: The Mason Block (1890) and Terminal Building (1888) are vivid examples of that time, preserving the spirit of the frontier and old America.

Rise of the City Centre (Early 20th Century)

After the unification of the settlements in 1903, the centre of urban planning activity shifted to the current downtown. Majestic public and cultural buildings began to appear here, designed to emphasise the status of the new regional centre.

• Styles: Neoclassicism, Art Deco, Spanish Colonial Revival, Neo-Gothic.
• Iconic objects:
  • Mount Baker Theatre (1927): An architectural gem of the city, combining elements of Spanish Baroque and Moorish style. Its high tower with a tiled roof remains a visual landmark of the centre.
  • Federal Building (1913): An example of strict Neoclassicism, built of sandstone, symbolising the stability of authority.
  • Bellingham Herald Building (1926): Built as a hotel and executed in the Neo-Gothic style; for a long time, it remained the tallest building in the city.

University Modernism (Mid — Late 20th Century)

The development of Western Washington University (WWU) brought modern architecture to the city. The university campus, located on Sehome Hill, is considered an open-air museum thanks to bold architectural solutions and the integration of buildings into the complex natural landscape.

• Styles: Brutalism, International Style, Mid-century Modern.
• Features: Use of raw concrete, glass, and functional geometric forms. Buildings are designed to harmonise with the forest and open up views of Bellingham Bay.
• Iconic objects: Wilson Library with its expressive modernist façade and brick dormitory buildings integrated into the forest (for example, Mathes Hall).

Revitalisation and Modernity (21st Century)

The modern stage of the city's development is connected with the reimagining of industrial heritage, especially in the area of the former waterfront, which was occupied by factories for a long time.

• Approach: Adaptive reuse and "green" architecture.
• Iconic object: Granary Building — a former granary converted into a modern retail and office centre. The project preserved the historic concrete frame and industrial character, adding panoramic glazing and modern public spaces by the water.

Historical Figures and Founders

The history of Bellingham is inextricably linked with the names of pioneers and entrepreneurs whose ambitions turned a wild bay into a thriving city.

• George Vancouver — Navigator and Explorer
  A British captain who mapped the bay in 1792. It was he who named it Bellingham in honour of Sir William Bellingham, who oversaw the supplies for his expedition, forever inscribing this name into the region's geography.
• George Pickett — Military Figure
  A future Confederate general, Pickett served as a US Army captain in this territory in the 1850s. He oversaw the construction of Fort Bellingham, intended to protect settlers, and played a key role in the territorial dispute with Britain known as the "Pig War". His house is still preserved in the city as the oldest wooden building.
• Daniel "Dirty Dan" Harris — Founder of Fairhaven
  A colourful figure of the frontier era, a legendary bootlegger and landowner. In 1883, he founded the settlement of Fairhaven (now a district of Bellingham). Harris made a fortune in real estate trading during the land boom and became a local legend, in whose honour a city festival is held annually.
• Charles X. Larrabee — Industrialist and Philanthropist
  Known as one of the most influential people in the city's history. Larrabee invested huge funds in the development of Fairhaven, anticipating the arrival of the railway. Later, he donated land for the creation of the famous state park (Larrabee State Park), which became the first state park in Washington.

Modern Culture and Arts

Today, Bellingham is known as a creative hub where many world-class stars began their journey or settled down.

• Hilary Swank — Actress, Oscar winner
  The star of the films "Million Dollar Baby" and "Boys Don't Cry" spent her school years in Bellingham. Here she studied at Sehome High School and was actively involved in swimming, participating in the state Junior Olympics competitions before setting off to conquer Hollywood.
• Ryan Stiles — Comedian and Actor
  The star of the improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway? chose Bellingham as his home. Stiles does not just live here but actively develops the local culture: he opened the improv theatre The Upfront Theatre, which has become an important attraction for comedy lovers.
• Ben Gibbard — Musician
  Leader of the famous indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie. The collective was formed within the walls of Western Washington University (WWU) in Bellingham. The city atmosphere and student life of the late 90s had a strong influence on the band's early work.