Bellingham History Museum - Downtown Bellingham WA

Bellingham WA History - A Brief History Of Bellingham Washington

Bellingham HistoryHistory Comes Alive At Northwest Washington MuseumsHistory Of The First Bellinghamsters


The original settlers of the Bellingham Wa Area Were the ancestors of area Native tribes......the Nooksacks, Lummi,  and the Semiahmoo indians.      Decedents of these tribes now operate colorful casinos offering 25 hour gaming--- from keno & slot machines to Las Vegas style table games.    

How Did Washington History Unfolds At The Bham MuseumBellingham Get Its Name?

During his exploration of Puget Sound in 1792,  Capt. George Vancouver stopped in Birch Bay and sent out smaller boats to explore nearby waterways and coastline.    He chose to honor his friend Sir William Bellingham by naming a nearby bay after him.   Capt. George Vancouver never actually visited Bellingham Bay. 

  

The Alaska Marine Highway Ferry is one of the easiest ways to get your car to Alaska

 

Gold Fever

The Fraser River Gold Rush of 1858 attracted more than 10,000 people to the area and later it was lumber that drew even more people to settle in the Bellingham area.    The four Northwest Washington Is A Major Timber Producing Regiontiny towns of   Whatcom, Sehome, Bellingham, & Fairhaven eventually merged together to become what we now know as Bellingham.        

Other nearby cities in Whatcom county include Blaine, Ferndale, Everson, & the Dutch community of Lynden.

Photo of Beautiful Fairhaven WA Waterfront

Alaska's Historical Marine Highway Ferry System Begins At The Fairhaven Cruise Terminal

 

 

Visit Our Bellingham Area Museums Page

Squalicum Harbor Makes Bellingham A Gateway To The San Juan Islands With Numerous Boat & Yacht Charters

 

Whatcom Museum of History and Art

Location: In The Old City Hall Building Built In  1892
121 Prospect Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: 360/676-6981

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, noon until 5 p.m.
Admission Is Free!