Local expert will talk about maritime history at upcoming presentation

Author Erich Ebel will be a guest of the South Whidbey Historical Society at 7 p.m. this Friday.

By Kira Erickson • August 22, 2023 1:30 am
The 1888 sternwheeler Henry Bailey was named in honor of Capt. Henry Bailey who was born and grew up at Cultus Bay (then Bailey Bay). Among her crew was a young purser named Joshua Green, who soon became a steamboat magnate and was later the founder of People’s National Bank of Washington. (Photo provided by South Whidbey Historical Society)
The 1888 sternwheeler Henry Bailey was named in honor of Capt. Henry Bailey who was born and grew up at Cultus Bay (then Bailey Bay). Among her crew was a young purser named Joshua Green, who soon became a steamboat magnate and was later the founder of People’s National Bank of Washington. (Photo provided by South Whidbey Historical Society)

Whidbey residents hoping to learn more about the area’s maritime history might want to attend an upcoming presentation by a local expert.

Erich Ebel, author of “Exploring Maritime Washington,” is leading the presentation “Then & Now” as a guest of the South Whidbey Historical Society at 7 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 25 in the Fireside Room at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.

A lifelong Washington resident, Ebel lives in Spokane and has always been fascinated by the state’s history. His blogs, videos and podcasts delve into all sorts of unique stories about Washington’s past.

When historian and fellow author Chuck Fowler approached Ebel about writing a book together on maritime history, he leapt at the chance. Ebel committed to doing all the traveling and interviewing required to complete the book, which meant driving to various communities around the state.

“It’s part travel guide, part history book,” he said of the book, which was released earlier this year by Arcadia Publishing. Apart from a previous self-published work, it’s his first book.

The Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, which is the impetus of the book, was officially designated in 2019 and consists of 3,000 miles of coastline.

“One of the most difficult things in writing this book was choosing what not to include, because there are so many stories to be told, from Whatcom County all the way down to Washougal,” Ebel said.

Fortunately, many of the stories about Whidbey are included in the book, including Ebey’s Landing, Fort Casey, the Langley Whale Center and the South Whidbey Historical Museum.

“It teases the fact that you can learn more by visiting the historical museum,” Ebel said. “It also happens to mention the Spyhop restaurant across the street, which I did eat at.”

The approximately hour-long presentation is free of charge and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. Send an email to SWHMuseum@gmail.com for seating purposes if you plan to attend.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase for $23.99, plus tax. Ebel said he can even autograph them.

For more information about Ebel’s work, visit washingtonourhome.com.

Before the car ferries, Whidbey Island was served by several steamers such as the Fairhaven which is shown here pulling up at Phinney Beach, also known as Old Clinton, now Brighton Beach. (Photo provided by South Whidbey Historical Society)

Before the car ferries, Whidbey Island was served by several steamers such as the Fairhaven which is shown here pulling up at Phinney Beach, also known as Old Clinton, now Brighton Beach. (Photo provided by South Whidbey Historical Society)