Bellingham in Whatcom County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

The 1909 Fairhaven Empress Tree

Port of Bellingham

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 21, 2021

1. The 1909 Fairhaven Empress Tree Marker

Inscription.
With a normal lifespan of 70 years, this, is one of the oldest Empress trees (Paulownia tomentosa) in the United States.

The tree was presented to E.B. Deming, President of Pacific American Fisheries, on August 24, 1909; a gift from Goon Dip, the labor contractor and new Chinese Consul.

Once the largest salmon canning company in the world, Pacific American Fisheries provided thousands of jobs for local residents and hundreds of seasonal Chinese laborers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 24, 1909.

Location. 48° 43.209′ N, 122° 30.703′ W. Marker is in Bellingham, Washington, in Whatcom County. It is at the intersection of Harris Street and 4th Street, on the right when traveling west on Harris Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Harris Avenue, 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 nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Commercial Point Shipyard (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Schooner Zodiac (about 700 feet away); Fairhaven (about 700 feet away); Northwest Shipbuilding Company

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(about 700 feet away); Early Bellingham Bay (about 700 feet away); Pacific American Fisheries (about 700 feet away); Original Inhabitants of the Area (about 700 feet away); Site of Puget Sound Sawmills and Shingle Company (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellingham.

Also see . . .
1. The 1909 Fairhaven Empress Tree. Fairhaven History website entry:"The gnarled remnant of a once-elegant flowering tree that stands before you is on the grounds of the Amtrak station. Its presence memorializes the former site of Pacific American Fisheries, a once thriving anchor to the economy of the Fairhaven district of Bellingham." (Submitted on July 23, 2021.)

2. Goon Dip (ca. 1862-1933). HistoryLink website entry:

"Goon Dip was a phenomenon -- a visionary and wealthy entrepreneur, public servant, philanthropist, and the most influential Chinese in the Pacific Coast during the early years of the twentieth century. He had some luck, which he acknowledged and honored, but he also had to breach the virulent anti-Chinese wall of the times to attain success. And he did it
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 21, 2021

2. The 1909 Fairhaven Empress Tree and Marker
with a high level of civility and compassion. One obituary eulogized: “He brought the innate courtesy, the kindly philosophy, the ‘do unto others’ doctrine common to all faiths into his daily life ... "(Seattle Daily Times)."

(Submitted on July 23, 2021.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 490 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.