130 Waterfront Owners, and Nobody Knows Where Their Land Is

Secretary of State Allen Weir was in the city yesterday from Olympia, and took the evening boat for Fairhaven, to attend the meetings of the tide land commission. They were in session all last week hearing arguments, and many close questions arose. One of the close questions sprang from the fact that an old plat of the city was filed in the '80s by the townsite owners. At that time Whatcom was having a boom, the Fraser river mining excitement being on. Many lots and blocks were sold on the tide lands. The local commission, however, has replatted the harbor without regard to the former platting, and, as a result, none of the purchasers of the original plat, of which there are many, know where their lands are. About 130 conflicting claims have been made. The commission will make as equitable an arrangement as possible.

The government issued patents to several holders on Whatcom bay, giving them title to the tide lands. Although the state asserted ownership to all the lands below high tide and above low tide, an exception was made in these cases. Now the holders of tide lands by this title, and the owners of the uplands adjoining, both claim the right of purchase of the frontage, but it is probable that the owners of the upland will be given it, and that the other parties will appeal to the courts.