Just North of Bellingham about a dozen miles is Ferndale, a historic community located along the Nooksack River. Ferndale was founded in the mid-1800s and was first called Jam because of a big jam of logs that clogged the river. The town has grown from its humble beginnings, but history and heritage live on in this community.

Hovander Homestead Park and Pioneer Park are two great examples of the rural homesteading and farm life of the Mt. Baker region. Hovander Homestead Park is a turn of the century farm county park, with a Victorian home that is listed on the National Historic Register. The park is host to the Antique Farm Fair and Civil War Reenactment each summer.

A short stroll away is the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center, a sprawling facility that interprets the marsh and lakeside wildlife of the region. Don’t miss the fragrance garden, a raised garden filled with aromatic herbs and plants with wheelchair access and Braille for the visually impaired. A sturdy boardwalk takes visitors through marshlands and around Tennant Lake, with interpretive stations to identify the plants and wildlife.

Near downtown is Pioneer Park. This wooded setting is home to one of the finest collections of original pioneer log cabins in the Northwest. These eleven log cabins, built by the early pioneers of the region, sat alone in the early forests and rough clearings. To save them from destruction, they were moved to Ferndale from various locations to this site next to the Nooksack River.

The public may view and tour these historic buildings in a village setting. These buildings and cabins are over 100 years old and illustrate vividly the strength and determination of the pioneer settlers, who carved a new life in the West.

Since 1897, the Pioneer Park has hosted the Old Settlers Picnic each July. This down-home festival celebrates the past with parades, carnival, performances and hearty food. The park also features the Olde Fashioned Christmas celebration during the first week in December, when the cabins are decorated to replicate how early pioneers celebrated the holiday.

Incorporated: 1970
Population: 11,415
Elevation: 36 ft

More Information

City of Ferndale
2095 Main Street, Ferndale
360-384-4302

	Saturday 09/23 0% Clear Partly cloudy. High 66F. Winds light and variable.
	Sunday 09/24 10% Partly Cloudy Cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late. High 66F. Winds light and variable.
	Monday 09/25 50% Chance of Rain Showers in the morning, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 61F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
	Tuesday 09/26 10% Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy skies. High 68F. Winds light and variable.
	Wednesday 09/27 10% Partly Cloudy Partly cloudy skies. High 72F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
	Thursday 09/28 0% Clear A mainly sunny sky. High around 75F. Winds light and variable.