History of Ferndale

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Ferndale was once called “Jam” because it was near the Nooksack River log jam. It wasn’t until a teacher named Miss Alice Eldridge originated the name “Ferndale” in a letter to her father. She called the town Ferndale because of all the ferns growing around the school house. The name Ferndale was not official until 1876.

The first business building in Ferndale was built by Darius Rogers. Rogers built a post office, the first of many businesses. Later on Rogers encouraged Many other people to start businesses. Soon Ferndale was competing for the county seat with two stores, a hotel, two saloons, and a post office.

In Ferndale’s Pioneer Park you can see a recreated village of original buildings. The houses and buildings are all actual old time places. The village contains: the church, one of the first in Whatcom County built in 1876, the granery built in 1887, the Foster House built in 1885, the Sheilds House built in 1885, the Parker House, or general store built in 1879, The Post Office built in 1891, and the Holeman House, which is a typical one room school built in 1890. They are now starting on a jail and a barn.

By Chantel N.
Mr. Salisbury’s 6th Gr.

Ferndale Community Events

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Hullaballoon is a Festival of fun held the second weekend in August at Hovandar Homestead Park. Activities for your enjoyment include hot air balloons, rides, live music, kids’ activities, visiting farm animals, gardening & more.

The International Folk dance Festival is also held at the Hovander Homestead part in the second weekend of August. This Festival is fun for the whole family including your grandparents. You can watch, interact, or just sit back and relax at this fun filled folk dance.

The Civil War Re-enactment is an experience you wouldn't want to miss. Relive history as Civil War camps are set up and reenactments of battles take place. This event takes place at the Hovander Homestead Park in the second weekend in August. The Scottish Highland games is a time to observe the international competitions for the Highland dance, bag piping and the Caber toss. This special Scottish preferments takes place on the first Saturday in June at Hovander Park.

The Harvest Festival - Pumpkin Contest is held the Saturday before the spooky night of Halloween. At this event you can win money by having the largest pumpkin, best costume, best carved pumpkin, and there is a Rooster calling contest.

The Christmas tree lighting and an Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration is a place for the family to admire the spectacular Christmas lights and enjoy the Celebration. This jamming Christmas Celebration is held in the first weekend in December at Pioneer Park.

At the Community-wide Garage Sale come and find some great merchandise because one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The Community-wide sale takes place at Pioneer Park on the first Saturday in May.

Antique Farm fair is a time for those kids out there to spend so quality time with your father and see some rumble trackers and buldosers. This special Farm Fair is held on Father’s Day weekend at Hovander homestead Park.

The Old Settlers Pioneer Days Picnic is a celebration that provides free live entertainment with dances, games, parade, and exhibitions. Everyone is invited to attend and participate. this four day long celebration is held the last weekend in July (Thurs. - Sun.) at Pioneer Park.

Pioneer Park has one of the largest collections of authentic log structures in the state. The log structures make a great way to sell or show off antiques. Hovander Homestead Park includes a turn-of-the-century farmhouse, barn, and one mile of river beach that evoke a simpler time from the country’s past. Hovander is a great place for birthday parties, picnics, and much much more. Tennat Lake has a 1/2 mile system of trails and boardwalks and a bird watching tower which tie the displays to the 200 acres of marshy habitat. This place is great for field trips, amusement, and more.

By Jesse Y.
Mr. Salisbury’s 6th Gr.

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This page is maintained by the S.W.A.T.  (School Website Advancement Team)

rsawatzky@ferndale.wednet.edu or kvankooten@ferndale.wednet.edu
or desser@ferndale.wednet.edu
Voice Mail: (360)-383-9650

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Copyright Notice: No materials on any of the Ferndale School Districts' WWW pages may be copied without express written permission unless permission is clearly stated on the page.
©2000 FSD #502

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Added: June 1, 1997
Revised:  Tuesday, May 13th, 2003