Phoebe Goodell Judson
This building is dedicated to the memory of
Phoebe Goodell Judson
1832-1926
Phoebe Goodell married Holden A. Judson in Vermillion, Ohio in 1852. They crossed the Plains by covered wagon in 1853. Their son, La Bonta, was born enroute. First settling in Chehalis, constant flooding caused them to move to Whatcom County in 1871. Mrs. Judson was the only white woman when arriving in the Nooksack Valley where they settled on 160 acres. Mrs. Judson raised four children of her own plus numerous other orphaned children. She was affectionately called "Mother of Lynden” for naming and helping to establish that town.
Both Phoebe and her husband were active in the territorial and political affairs of Washington, contributing greatly to the establishment of Washington as a state.
At age 94 (1925) Phoebe wrote the warm and inspiring book A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home from her diary. The book is still in print at the dedication of this building.
Her fine Christian spirit
and inherent refinement
were never dimmed by the
harsh living environment
that surrounded her in
the primitive days before
civilization came to the
West.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music •
this page online
Location. 48° 43.247′ N, 122° 30.184′ W. Marker is in Bellingham, Washington, in Whatcom County. Marker is on Mill Avenue near 11th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1201 11th Street, Bellingham WA 98225, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Samuel Longhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) (within shouting distance of this marker); Counterfeiters' Hide Out (within shouting distance of this marker); Town Pillory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles X. Larrabee (about 400 feet away); Fairhaven Library (about 400 feet away); Site of Puget Sound Sawmills and Shingle Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fairhaven Canning Company (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Legacy of Byron Elmendorf (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellingham.
Also see . . . Judson, Phoebe (1831-1926) (HistoryLink.org).
"Phoebe Judson was the first non-Indian woman to settle in the Lynden area (in northern Whatcom County) and became known as the "Mother of(Submitted on July 23, 2021.)Lynden" during the half century that she lived there. Born in Ontario in 1831, she moved to Washington Territory in 1853 and to Lynden in 1870. A strong, dedicated woman, known as a "doer of good deeds," she was actively involved in many of Lynden's affairs in its earliest years and provided a solid anchor to the town's citizens until her death in 1926."Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 21, 20212. Phoebe Goodell Judson Marker - wide viewThe marker, visible here on the left side of the alcove of the Mill Avenue entrance to Judson Plaza, is easy to miss.
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 197 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
