105 Years Later: Historic Photo of Ferndale’s Carnation Building to Be Recreated on August 26
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM, history will repeat itself—on purpose.
A group of present-day business owners, employees, and community members will gather alongside the historic Carnation Building in downtown Ferndale to recreate a photo originally taken 105 years ago to the day, in 1920. The original black-and-white photo, which features the workers and staff of the original Carnation Milk Company just two years after the building’s construction, will now have a companion image—one that captures the entrepreneurs, service providers, and small business supporters who keep the building alive today.
Organized by Alyssa Springs, owner of Flow Motion, a healing spa and yoga sanctuary located inside the building since 2014, the photo project is a celebration of both Ferndale’s past and its vibrant present. The story and image will be submitted to regional media, preserved in the building’s upstairs hallway next to the original, and offered to local museums and archives.
“When I first moved Flow Motion into the Carnation Building in 2014, I discovered a carved brick near the floor in my suite that simply read 1918,” says Springs. “I remember wondering if I’d still be around in 2018 when the building turned 100. And now here we are 11 years later—still part of something bigger. This historic photo recreation is a tribute to that journey.”
[Photo: Original Carnation Building workers photo, August 26, 1920.]
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Ferndale Downtown Association, to preserve the rich history of Ferndale while actively promoting its revitalized downtown core. Led by Alyssa Springs, Ferndale Downtown Association Board President and owner of Flow Motion inside the Carnation Building, the project reflects the organization’s mission to celebrate Ferndale’s heritage while supporting the small businesses that bring it to life today. With new shops and services moving in, others thriving for decades, and historic spaces being given new purpose, downtown Ferndale offers a unique blend of authenticity and innovation—something the Ferndale Downtown Association is proud to share with a wider audience.
“Years ago, people used to drive past Ferndale on their way to other places,” says Springs. “But now people stop. They shop, dine, and explore. We’d love for more people to discover the historic charm, the local makers, and the experiences you won’t find anywhere else.”
A Moment in Time—Then and Now
The original 1920 photo was taken as Ferndale transitioned from a center of lumber production to a developing town shaped by agriculture and dairy farming. At the heart of that shift stood the Carnation Oxford Building, constructed in 1918. It quickly became central to the region’s booming dairy industry, which played a vital role in the Pacific Northwest’s economy.
The photo captures a pivotal era in American and local history: World War I had just ended two years prior. Prohibition was in full swing. Women had recently gained the right to vote. Silent films were the rage, and the average American earned around $1,400 per year.
Fast forward to 2025, and the Carnation Building is home to wellness studios, creative agencies, service providers, and long-standing local businesses. This new photo will capture a snapshot of who we are today—a diverse, collaborative community still grounded in hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.
About Flow Motion:
Opening in 2014, Flow Motion is a healing spa and yoga sanctuary located in Ferndale’s historic Carnation Building. Known for its salt cave, amethyst crystal cave, yoga, hypnosis services, and nervous system support services (sauna, sound therapy, massage), Flow Motion brings a unique blend of science and soul to modern wellness.
About the Ferndale Downtown Association:
The Ferndale Downtown Association is committed to preserving Ferndale’s historical identity while cultivating a vibrant downtown filled with thriving small businesses, cultural experiences, and community-driven revitalization projects. Currently working toward designation with the Main Street America program, the Ferndale Downtown Association supports projects that celebrate Ferndale’s past and pave the way for its future.
