Lynden History Timeline
A brief look at Lynden's life span from the Gold Rush to Automobiles.
1842 - First caravan crosses the U.S. on the Oregen Trail
1852 - The first non-native settlement made on Bellingham Bay
1853 - Holden and Phoebe Judson cross the U.S. on Oregon Trail, and settle in the Centralia area, south of Olympia
1858 - Fraser River Gold Rush
1860 - First Non-Native settlers arrive after leaving gold rush
1860 - Col. James A. Patterson settles in Lynden area
1860 - Reuben Bizer settles in prairie land around Lynden area
1865-69 - Daniel McClanahan, Joe Emerling, Daniel Kilcup, Harry West, and George Rehberger settle between Lynden and Everson
1870 - Holden and Phoebe Judson are first family not connected to the gold rush to move to Lynden area
1872 - Enoch and Mary Hawley family move to Lynden
1873 - Lynden's first post office established
1876 - Lynden's first school established, taught in a home
1877 - First log jam removed from Nooksack River
1879 - Second large log jam removed from Nooksack River-First steamer arrives in Lynden named "Fanny Lake"
1882 - First school house in the Hawley log building
1884 - Maltby and Robinson open first saw mill
1885 - Prof. J.R. Bradley establishes Normal School, later WWU-Guide Meridian opens in Lynden to west end of Wiser Lake
1886 - Hawley opens his mill
1887 - First woman doctor, Mrs. E. A. Gillett-Methodist Church, Lynden's first church building, completed-Lynden's population reaches 125
1888 - Lynden prints first newspaper, The Pioneer Press-Drug store opened by Dr. White-Opera House opens above Judson's store-Capt. Maltby builds the steamer "Triumph" in Lynden
- Creamery Opens
1889 - Grade School building at Fishtrap Creek opens-Population reaches 500 by February-Lanning Hotel built-Washington becomes a State
1890 - Population reaches 1000 by June
1891 - Lynden is incorporated-Holden Judson is elected Lynden's first mayor
1894 - Bridges are built over the Nooksack River, connecting Lynden with the Guide Meridian
1897 - Bill Waples opens Lynden Department Store
1899 - Holden Judson dies at age 73
1902 - Co-Operative creamery formed
1903 - Waples Shingle Mill and Light plant opens
1904 - January 1, B.B. and B.C. Railroad opens line to Lynden
1905 - Lynden State Bank opens
1908 - Pioneer Press renamed the Lynden Tribune
1912 - Puget Power begins to supply electricity
1913 - First Lynden Department Store burns down
1914 - Lynden High School building completed, now Lynden Middle School-Front Street paved
1915 - First National Bank opens