The Four Cities of the Bay: A Failed Marriage

Yesterday a committee of leading citizens and property holders of Sehome and Whatcom visited Fairhaven for the purpose of conferring with the people here concerning the consolidation of the four cities of the bay and the incorporation of all together. The rooms of the Chamber of Commerce were well filled with visiting delegates. Judge Lindsay of Bellingham was invited to preside. Mr. Dorr of Sehome suggested that since the census is to be taken, the junction of the four towns would make a respectable city with more influence. However, local leaders raised concerns. Nelson Bennett argued that business would be paralyzed if people had to travel between towns for mail or express services. 'We must tear down the hill between us and build up the roads first,' he said. H.V. Thompson clarified the legal hurdles, noting it would take at least a year to join the four cities, while two-city mergers (Fairhaven/Bellingham and Sehome/Whatcom) were more immediately feasible. Ultimately, the attendees agreed that while a grand city might rise in the future, the time was not yet right, and they voted to proceed with the incorporation of Fairhaven and Bellingham as a single entity.