Painting Company in Bellingham, WA

About Bellingham

Bellingham, Washington, has a rich and layered history that reflects both its Indigenous roots and its industrial past. Long before European settlers arrived, the area around Bellingham Bay was home to the Coast Salish peoples — including the Lummi, Nooksack, Samish, and Semiahmoo tribes — who thrived on the region’s abundant salmon runs, cedar forests, and coastal resources. The name “Whatcom” comes from a Lummi word meaning “noisy water,” a reference to the powerful falls on Whatcom Creek. In 1792, British explorer George Vancouver named the bay after Sir William Bellingham, and by the 1850s, American settlers began to arrive. Henry Roeder and Russell Peabody built the first lumber mill at Whatcom Creek, marking the start of Bellingham’s early industrial development. Soon after, coal was discovered in Sehome, attracting workers and commerce to the area. Through the late 1800s, the region flourished with sawmills, coal mining, and shipping, leading to the rise of four small towns around the bay — Whatcom, Sehome, Fairhaven, and Bellingham — which officially consolidated into the City of Bellingham in 1903. The city’s growth continued into the 20th century, driven by logging, fishing, and maritime trade, while Western Washington University became a cornerstone of its educational and cultural life. Although Bellingham has faced challenges, including racial tensions such as the 1907 riot targeting South Asian workers, it has evolved into a diverse and thriving community. Today, Bellingham blends its historic charm with modern development, particularly through the revitalization of its waterfront, and stands as a vibrant hub for the arts, education, and outdoor recreation in the Pacific Northwest.