All About Blaine, WA
- by Jodie Vinson
With Seattle two hours south, Vancouver 35 miles north, access to Mt. Baker to the east, and the Strait of Georgia to the west, Blaine marks the center of several crossroads. It is in many ways a frontier town. Birthed with the surveying of the boundary along the 49th parallel, Blaines identity continues to be defined by its unique location situated on the borderline of two countries, of shoreline and tide, of past and present. Several paths cross here, including the Coast Millennium Trail (CMT), a bike trail running from Skagit County across the border to White Rock. The Great Washington State Birding Trail also cuts through Blaine, an Important Bird Area (IBA) of the state. Many of these birds can be viewed from the walking trail of Blaine Marine Park along Semiahoo Bay. Visitors can also stroll freely through the borderland between the two countries in the gardens of Peace Arch State Park, paying tribute to the peace existing between the U.S. and Canada.
Perhaps it is the presence of so many transient trails and shifting borders that allows for Blaines ambiguous identity. The variety of boats rocking in its harbor immediately speaks to the diversity of the towns population of 11,000. The wildlife also reflects Blaines transitory nature as it is home to a wide variety of migratory and seashore birds and diverse seashore life. Blaines appearance reflects another border: the crossing of centuries. Its buildings are designed to reflect the architectural tastes at the turning of the 19th and 20th centuries. A walking tour of the historic homes is available to visitors.
Blaines past was also aware of its unique point of departure and arrival as Drayton Harbor served as a seaport that brought in commerce with the lumber and fishing industries. Blaine also saw many prospectors passing through on their way to mine for gold in British Columbia. The settlement was called Semiahmoo after the Salish Indian tribe that inhabited the area until the Cain brothers named the town after an U.S. senator.
Blaines cultural identity reflects the shifting landscape that has shaped it. Like the changing tides that lap against Semiahmoo Spit, Blaines ambiguous borderline identity has seen many changes over the years. The sawmills that once dominated Blaines waterfront gave much of their wares to build San Francisco after the 1906 fire. A seaside resort, the Inn at Semiahmoo, now sits on the sight of what once was the worlds largest salmon cannery, run by the Alaska Packers Association. However, the marinas of Blaine still serve a recreational purpose for boaters, and local fishermen keep a steady supply of fresh produce in the markets. Wherever you find yourself traveling to, you dont want to pass up this border town on your way to somewhere else. Take one the many trails that cross it and explore the transient past that defines the towns present.
Community Links:
Blaine Chamber of Commerce
City of Blaine
Blaine.net Community Portal
The Northern Light Community Newspaper
