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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1890 | 19 |
19 stories matching first
- The First State Legislature Closes Shop
After passing tide land bills and appointing regents, Washington's first-ever state legislature adjourns amid whispers of a necessary extra session.
- A Gift for a Growing City
Prominent developer Nelson Bennett pledges a steam fire engine to Fairhaven, sparking a massive community fundraising effort.
- The Civic Tug-of-War Over Local Education
Fairhaven’s business leaders debate whether to subsidize a private denominational university or prioritize the urgent need for a robust public primary and high school system.
- The Grand Arrival of a Hudson River Steamer
After a perilous journey around Cape Horn, the City of Kingston makes her debut in Bellingham Bay.
- The Reluctant Candidate
E. A. Turner accepts the mayoral nomination for the newly incorporated Fairhaven, promising a progressive administration.
- The Complicated Legacy of Harry Morgan
A Tacoma businessman known for operating theaters and gambling houses dies, sparking a defense of his character and quiet philanthropy.
- The Absurdity of Local Mail Service
A scathing editorial laments the bureaucratic inefficiency of sending mail across Puget Sound only to have it return to a destination a half-mile away.
- The Sleeping Giant of the Timber Industry Wakes
After six years of silence, the Bellingham mill is set to roar to life under new management, promising 300,000 feet of output daily.
- Fairhaven Objects to Whatcom Annexation Over Debt
Booster leaders argue that merging with Whatcom would be 'death' to Fairhaven’s budding identity and prosperity.
- The Lights Turn On in Fairhaven
After months of construction, the Fairhaven Electric Light Company successfully powers the city's streets and businesses for the first time.
- Fairhaven Nominates Its First Corporate Government
On the eve of incorporation, a local convention chooses a unanimous ticket to lead the new city, promising growth and prosperity for the 'Metropolis of the Lower Sound.'
- The Con Artist of Fairhaven
A smooth-talking accountant gambles away his reputation and his wife's dignity with a string of bad checks and a faked suicide attempt.
- The Fight for Washington’s Tide Lands
A high-stakes political battle in the state legislature over the future of Washington's valuable waterfront property.
- Fairhaven's First Chemical Fire Engine
Without a municipal water system for fire protection, local business leaders are importing a chemical hand engine to prevent city-wide disaster.
- The Underground Prize Fight Near Tacoma
Welterweight boxers James Ryan and Barney Curtis face off in a secret bout outside Puyallup, evading legal scrutiny.
- Fairhaven Celebrates Its Official Birth
After a long and bitter boundary fight with neighboring towns, the new city of Fairhaven secures its incorporation and throws a massive party.
- The Struggle for Fairhaven's First Government
As the twin towns of Bellingham and Fairhaven prepare to incorporate, the Herald warns voters against 'boodle' candidates and speculators.
- The Four Cities of the Bay: A Failed Marriage
Delegates from four separate municipalities on Bellingham Bay meet to debate the dream—and the logistical nightmare—of merging into a single metropolis.
- Fairhaven's Secret Society Debut
The local Knights of Pythias chapter officially forms as the largest lodge of its kind in Washington state, complete with an all-night induction ceremony.