Fairhaven
One of the original four
communities founded along the shore
of Bellingham Bay, Fairhaven's
colorful history derives much of its
hue from its founder, 'Dirty' Dan
Harris, noted for his plug hat, shabby
frock coat over red undershirt, Indian
socks and unlaced cowhide boots.
Sailor, trader, rum runner and zealous
promoter of Fairhaven, Harris was a
rough-hewn and raggedly dressed
frontiersman who first etched the
unbroken forested shore with a cabin
he and fellow adventurer John
Thomas built at Padden Creek in 1853. After sickness and death claimed his partner, Harris secured the claim, lived by his wits, and by 1883 parlayed the sale of lots of the future community into a tidy sum of $32,000 in gold coin. He plowed his money back into the soil with the construction of the first Hotel Fairhaven a few hundred feet from this site and Fairhaven's first dock.
In 1888, Harris sold his townsite to railroad contractor and millionaire Nelson Bennett for $70,000. With a consortium of investors under the Fairhaven Land Co. the town was resurveyed, platted, an ocean shipping dock built on this site, and the development
this page online
The largest and most grand brick building visible at the heart of the remaining historic buildings in Fairhaven is the Mason Block, built in 1889.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 48° 43.32′ N, 122° 30.747′ W. Marker is in Bellingham, Washington, in Whatcom County. Marker can be reached from Harris Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 355 Harris Avenue, 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. Early Bellingham Bay (a few steps from this marker); Original Inhabitants of the Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Pacific American Fisheries (within shouting distance of this marker); Northwest Shipbuilding Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Schooner Zodiac (within shouting distance of this marker); Commercial Point Shipyard (within shouting distance of this marker); The 1909 Fairhaven Empress Tree (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Puget Sound Sawmills and Shingle Company (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellingham.
More about this marker. This marker is the first of nine related markers surrounding the perimeter of the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 210 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 25, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
