Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve

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Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve

, Washington State

NPCA REGION: Northwest Regional Office

Acreage: 19,323.99

Category: National Reserve

Date Established: 11/10/1978

More Info: http://www.nps.gov/ebla

Many national parks let you imagine life in America in days gone by. At Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, located on Central Whidbey Island, life goes on much as it has for two hundred years.

The first national park to incorporate privately held property, Ebey’s Landing encompasses 17,500 acres of homes, farms, and businesses still operating in stately buildings that date to the mid-1800s.

Begin your visit with a stroll through Coupeville, a scenic seaport town. Pick up a copy of the self-guided tour, and walk a little slower than usual. People don’t rush here. Take time to notice the details in the elegant Victorian architecture. Have lunch in one of the cafes, or pick up provisions for a picnic on the beach.

If you like to hike, head for the bluff trail that begins near Ebey’s Landing. The sea views and ocean breezes will refresh every cell in your body.

A self-guided bike/drive tour lets you see more of the reserve, including a patchwork of farms, Fort Casey State Park, and the Admiralty Head Lighthouse. Wayside exhibits along the route tell you more about the history of the Pacific Northwest.

Ebey’s Landing is named for Isaac Ebey, the first European-American to purchase land on Whidbey Island. A visit to the reserve is an opportunity to see how much life has changed since then—and how much remains the same.

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Comments

For folks looking for a national park experience out of Seattle, but don't have an entire day to devote to Olympic, Mt. Rainier, or North Cascades, this park unit will fit the bill. It's easy to get to, scenic, and historic. I like scanning the waters off Ebey's Landing from the Bluff Trail in March-May for gray whales. The whales stop off to feed in the Puget Sound on their northern migration to Alaska and the Arctic. This is also a great place to see bald eagles, harbor seals, and myriad sea birds. You might get lucky and even see a passing pod of orcas! The Bluff Trail is also a great place to get a great view of the region. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Baker, and way off to the south, Mt. Rainier. Plus, the Olympic Mountains are stunning as they line the western horizon. At your feet is the Admiralty Inlet, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the beginning of Puget Sound. It is a memorable view. The history here is quite palpable. The old cemetery is worth a visit, and there are a few old blockhouses still around that were built to fend off attacks from native Americans. And Fort Casey is great for kids--lots of underground corridors and bunkers to explore. Plus, the lighthouse by the fort is picturesque and worth a visit. And, Coupeville is quaint. Be sure to have some Penn Cove mussels while in town--they are the best the area has to offer! You will fall in love with Ebey's Landing. It has a charm that isn't seen in many places today. It operates on a different pace than metro Seattle-Tacoma. You can spend a couple of hours or an entire day here just soaking up the scenery and the history.

Submitted by shane at: December 22, 2009