COUPEVILLE: The Current – News for June 2024
The Port of Coupeville publishes an electronic newsletter for the community to stay updated on events, news, and projects at both the Coupeville Wharf and Greenbank Farm. Click here to receive future issues as well as important dates and information on upcoming events and meetings. Ed. Note: We reprint those portions of The Current pertinent to the activities of the Port Commission. For the full contents of the current edition of the newsletter, click this link.
Port of Coupeville News
Coupeville Wharf: Most Endangered Place
The historic structure was just granted “endangered” status by the WA Trust for Historic Preservation.
“Coupeville Wharf has been named to the list of Washington’s Most Endangered Places to draw attention to the perils to our state’s historic resources posed by climate change and to support Coupeville in finding the resources to save it’s most iconic building.”
Here’s some Wharf history that qualified the wharf for this program:
In 1901, Fort Casey on Whidbey Island became an active U.S. Army base, part of the “triangle of fire” (along with Fort Worden and Fort Flagler) guarding Puget Sound from invasion. The fort’s activation resulted in a population boom on Whidbey Island. Accordingly, in 1905, local merchants and farmers built the Coupeville Wharf for passenger travel and for importing/exporting products between the island and the mainland.
For the first several decades of its existence, the wharf was owned by local businessman (and 16-year Coupeville mayor) Elmer Calhoun. Over time, its use began to shift. Passenger ferry service ended in the 1930s due to the Great Depression. The Deception Pass Bridge was completed, and automobiles became more common.
By the early 1960s, most goods were being trucked off the island rather than shipped. In 1969, the Port of Coupeville purchased the wharf with plans to create a marina that never came to fruition. In 1988, the Coupeville Wharf became part of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, the nation’s first national historical reserve.
Today, the wharf stands as a symbol of Coupeville’s maritime history, but its future is uncertain. As a 120-year-old wooden structure situated directly over the water, the wharf is affected by rising sea levels and increasingly frequent king tides. According to the town’s 2023 Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment, the wharf will be flooded by 2050.
The Port of Coupeville hopes to raise the structure to save it from the rising waters, but that plan comes with a $5 million price tag.
Learn More About Most Endangered Places Program
Greenbank Farm Site Improvements
We’re pleased to announce a couple of new improvements at the Greenbank Farm.
New Fence
Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, we installed a new fence along the eastern border of the farm.
The old fence was well past its lifespan. Most of the posts were propped up as broken at the ground from being probably 50 years old. “It was time!” said the donor!
New Stadium Lights
With so many nighttime events, we now have seven brand new stadium lights to cover the extended parking area on our grass parking area! All are dark sky compliant and energy efficient.
Upcoming Events
Port of Coupeville Board Meetings
Zoom Conference Call. For instructions on participating, visit the Port website here: https://portoc.org/commission-meetings/meeting-agendas/
Wed, June 12, 10:00 a.m. Port of Coupeville Commission Meeting
Wed, June 26, 1:00 p.m. Port of Coupeville Commission Meeting
Stay updated on all of our upcoming events by checking our events calendar.
