Whatcom Falls Bridge-Above

Whatcom Falls Bridge-Above

Bridge at Whatcom Falls Park – a century of history
In the 1890’s, the Whatcom Falls area was known as
the “Picnic Ground”, popular for biking, walking and
picnicking. When the private landowners planned to sell,
Bellingham citizens wanted it purchased for a city park.
Like other towns at this time, the City of Bellingham
did not have funds for parks. Land purchases depended
on local philanthropists and volunteers provided
maintenance.
In 1908 the Young Men’s Commercial Club raised
funds to purchase the original forty acres for $12,000,
about half the value of the land. The city later reimbursed
the club. During the 1920’s, organizations like Whatcom Falls
Park Club, Ladies Cooperative Society of Elizabeth Park,
Y.M.C.C. and private individuals donated trails, plantings,
play equipment, picnic shelters and wooden bridges
across the creek.
The Great Depression of the 1930’s brought federal
money to purchase most of the park’s current 241 acres.
In 1936, Federal, State Game Commission and Whatcom
County Sportsmen’s Association funds built the fish
hatchery. Roosevelt’s New Deal Works Progress Administration paid
workers to move the Chuckanut sandstone arches from a downtown
burned-out building to the park. In 1939 the sandstone was used to
construct the landmark stone bridge.
Fire devastated the park on June 10, 1999. A buried
pipeline burst, spilling over 200,000 gallons of gasoline
into Hannah and Whatcom Creeks. In 30 seconds, 1.5
miles of the creek’s riparian habitat burned. Flames shot
200 feet high; smoke rose five miles into the sky, and
three young lives were lost. Many agencies continue
working together to restore the burn area, a project
expected to take decades.

Shot this with my Panasonic point and shoot camera.

This artwork won the Park Bridges challenge in the group All Parks

This artwork was featured on:
May 18th, 2009 in the group Bubbler’s Weekly Challenge
April 30th, 2009 in the group The Compact Group

Whatcom Falls Bridge-Above belongs to the following groups:

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