Bellingham in Whatcom County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
The Great Water Fight
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 21, 2021
1. The Great Water Fight Marker
Inscription.
The Great Water Fight. . By mid-1891, the original four towns of Whatcom, Sehome, Bellingham and Fairhaven had consolidated into two, Fairhaven and New Whatcom. On June 22, 1891, the first train of the Canadian Pacific Railway was scheduled to arrive in New Whatcom. It was coming in on the Bellingham Bay and British Columbia tracks that had recently made the border connection at Sumas. To welcome the train a decorated archway had been built over Railroad Ave. at Holly Street. There was a parade, brass bands played, and local leaders and railroad officials gave speeches. A crowd of 6,000 people, in their Sunday best, waited with great anticipation.
As part of the elaborate reception, it was planned that the Sehome Hose Co. and their counterparts from old Whatcom would create an arch of water for the train to pass under. What better way to show off that new waterworks? When the train came into sight, the rival hose companies were given the signal to start their display. The Whatcom firemen got water pressure first and, realizing their advantage, began spraying the Sehome squad. The firefighters from Sehome soon returned the favor and an all-out water fight ensued. Torrents of water played across the shocked spectators as dignitaries dodged for cover, and that's when the train pulled in. Passengers on the coaches got drenched as many of their windows were open in the late June afternoon. Other windows were broken by the force of the water.
In the near riot atmosphere, it was noticed that the Canadian flag at the top of the welcoming arch was higher than the U.S. flags. A zealous patriot climbed up and tore the Union Jack down. It was trampled in the mud adding ultimate insult to what had already been a "damp bad reception" for the visitors.
The final result of the incident was that Bellingham Bay would not become the American terminus for the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway.
By mid-1891, the original four towns of Whatcom, Sehome, Bellingham and Fairhaven had consolidated into two, Fairhaven and New Whatcom. On June 22, 1891, the first train of the Canadian Pacific Railway was scheduled to arrive in New Whatcom. It was coming in on the Bellingham Bay & British Columbia tracks that had recently made the border connection at Sumas. To welcome the train a decorated archway had been built over Railroad Ave. at Holly Street. There was a parade, brass bands played, and local leaders and railroad officials gave speeches. A crowd of 6,000 people, in their Sunday best, waited with great anticipation.
As part of the elaborate reception, it was planned that the Sehome Hose Co. and their counterparts from old Whatcom would create an arch of water for the train to pass under. What better way to show off that new waterworks? When the train came into sight, the rival hose companies were given the signal to start their display. The Whatcom firemen got water pressure first and, realizing their advantage, began spraying the Sehome squad. The firefighters from Sehome soon returned the favor and an all-out water fight ensued. Torrents of water played across the shocked spectators as dignitaries dodged for cover, and that's when the train pulled in. Passengers on the coaches got drenched as many of their windows were open in the late June afternoon. Other windows were broken by the force of the water.
In the near riot atmosphere, it was noticed that the Canadian flag at the top of the welcoming arch was higher than the U.S. flags. A zealous patriot climbed up and tore the Union Jack down. It was trampled in the mud adding ultimate insult to what had already been a "damp bad reception" for the visitors.
The final result of the incident was that Bellingham Bay would not become the American terminus for the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is June 22, 1891.
Location. 48° 44.995′ N,
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122° 28.601′ W. Marker is in Bellingham, Washington, in Whatcom County. It is at the intersection of East Magnolia Street and Railroad Avenue, on the left when traveling west on East Magnolia Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bellingham WA 98225, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Puget Sound Region. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other markers no longer nearby. 1857 Pickett Bridge (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been permanently removed); Pickett Bridge (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. This marker is backed by the Bellingham Public Market Marker on the other side of the panel.
courtesy of the Galen Biery Collection, Whatcom Museum of History and Art, January 25, 1892
3. Group portrait of the Sehome Hose Company No. 1, Jan. 25, 1892.
Courtesy of the Galen Biery Collection, Whatcom Museum of History and Art, June 22, 1891
4. Marker inset: Scene from the infamous water fight on June 22, 1891.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,386 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 23, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
