1890 Morgan Block brickwork is repaired

<< Back to archives | Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Buildings were named “Block” back in the 1890s.  The Morgan Block building was completed in 1890 - before the Railroad boom of 1891 and the depression bust of 1893.  This building has served our community for almost 120 years and during the last few, its exterior developed a need for fixes.  Since late summer, this scaffolding has graced the front and later, in this photo, the side of the building.  A lot of little but important repair work was done, including the replacement of some copper flashing. Here, Evan works up on the scaffolding. Today, it is down and the building shows the same exterior it did in 1890.

This building was given new life in 1969 when it was bought and quickly turned into a community trust.  It flourished through the 70s and 80s when other buildings in Fairhaven went quiet or empty.  The Bellingham Community Food Co-op started here; it has long ago moved to downtown Bellingham.  The Northwest Passage alternative newspaper was published from offices on the second floor in the early 1970s.  It was one of the first news publications in the country to speak out for the environment and ecological awareness.  Today, Artwood Gallery of fine woodwork and the Good Earth Pottery are in this building.  Artwood for the last 20 years or so and Good Earth since the early 1970s.  The upper floors now provide studio space to artists, writers, poets and crafts persons.  It is still the same community trust, and we are very proud of its role in our community.

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