Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1890-08-03
A WESTERN OPINION
Chas. Prosch Visits the Growing City
of Fairhaven

To one who has lived on the shores of
Puget Sound many years. hut whose OBJ
serXatiOn has been confined 10 "a limited
area in his immediate vicinity. there can
be nothing more surprising than the won
derful growth Of towns and cities on sites
which short year ago were densely COW
cred with timber. They are rapidly OBJ
literating familiar landmarks and chang
ing the face of the country to such "A de-
gree that old settlers can no longer rpcug-
niZe II. Ten years ago the towns ON the
shores Of the Sound numbered five or six,
exclusive of strictly saw mill stations:
now they number by actual count -,
while the original half dozen have quad
ruped in population and area. Nearly
all OF these towns have an appearance of
ncwuess which clearly indicates their re-
cent birth: indeed less than twelve
month has elapsed since were laid the
foundations of several which now have
populations ranging from 100 to 400 souls.
Perhaps the most remarkable of the
young cities in question is Fairhaven. in
which the writer passed two days last
week. Unknown by that or any other
name a year ago. in this brief period il
has grown into a city of 1000 inhabitants
with churches and schools. hotels, banks.
and other institutions that would reflect
credit upon much larger communities. 1t
j. but a few months ago (sOme time last
spring. ! believe) that the city was in
eorpnrated. the municipality embracing
an area OF about nine square miles. Mr..
l.. Turner. young man of unquestioned
integrity and indomitabe energy, well
known in Seattle as a newspaper pub
Usher. real estate agent and fancy poul-
try raiser. is the first and present mayor
OF fatrhaVen. The young city is to be
congratulated on securing for its first
mayor one 50 capable. reliable and enter
prislng as Mr. Turner
Having perfected its organization. the
city government lost no time in COM
meneing the grading of streets, construct
lug sidewalks. providing water and drain
Ing facilities. establishing police and fire
departments, etc. There is now under
way miles ot grading by gangs Of men in
various parts OF the city. while sewer pipe
j. being laid to limited extent. The city
Is well Illuminated with incaudescent and
are lights. the latter being suspended over
the center OF the streets where they inter-
sect each other. 4 generous supply Of
good water obtained from Lake Padden.
three niles distant. aud 3ls feet above it.
l. distributed about the city in pipes. Ii
i said the supply is adequate for II popu-
latlun OF fifty or sixty thousand. The
water system cost less than SlOD.Og aud
without expensive pumps or stDr-
agr reservoirs in the city. pres
sure OF 40 pounds to the square
lneh j. obtained direct from the lake
lhe principal thoroughfares are planked. .
Whlie The grading aud planking of other
streets Is being prosecuted with vigOr. ID
j. sale 10 say that before the present year
closes. fairhdven will present an aspect
OF growth aud prosperity that cannot fail
10 astonlsh the visitor of today.
Much the greater part OF the city site is
comparatively level Nearly all of the I
land on the right hand side of the road
leading from the wharf especially is so. I
while that on tile left aScends by an easy
GRADE 10 a height OF about 100 feet On
TINS elevated bench. which oVerloOkS the
naN a. wei as the city on all sides. is being
erected some of the finest dwellings, con-
Selcuous among which is that of James Il. .
Mafdner. OF Cpur d Alene mining fame /
lhls dwelling cost $1,000. Other dwell /.
lhgS IN The same vicinity are in course of
erection. the cost of which range from /
S'oo To s3O.OU each. The level portion,
the city site apparently ends abruptly at
, we loot OF a PERCEPTIONS mountain 800 or
IOp ieet high. which presents a dark back /
GROUND and impcnetrable wall about two I
anu one-half miles back from the city /
front that precludes the extension of the /
Guy beyond that limit. Though IL may
lot De utilized for residence or other pur
poses, adds greatly to the picturesque
ness of the scene. and is therefore not ut
terly valueless.
sehoOlhouse which cost $4,000 Is /
among the buildings completed some
weeks ago. II contains four school
Iuoolis and Will accommodate 800 pupils.
several neat and commOdious hotels. the
NWosl prominent being the Vendome aud
Mohlez'ima, are In successful operation
aaa crowded much for time.
otll another hotel. and one of snrpas-
,rrtlg elegance in style. is the Fairhaven.
~. hne main building Is of brick. with stone
uiiillhmlngs, live stories In height, aud
WI, contain about 100 rooms in all. The
,' lchltecture Is of the Queen Anne order,
s Us magnitude and general appearance
o ,.pl lall TO arrest the attention of every
Hlsllot IN this wonderful Young city. II Is
muptu thai 1t will long stand as munu-
m,,i,i 70 The energy and enterprise of the
pauilc spirited men TO whom IL owes its
,1,,Vlh' It's cost will not fall short OF 100.
~, anu VIII probably exceed that figure
ny ue 'oWh or city does not exist which can
p p'ia 10 "a structure of like cost and APP
EinfaiithlS IN the first year Of its growth.
gran. .ur, being spared to complete this
5,ri tulhee by the list of September. In
ti',,f ltat the Washington Press associa-
"A H." u.ch meets in Fairhaven on the
enf '%S ~ maj month. may be lodged and
'91rftalned therein.
'ilscllN opposite his hofnl an tho main