Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Brian L. Griffin papers, 1890-2013
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Griffin, Brian L., -- 1932-
- Title
- Brian L. Griffin papers
- Dates
- 1890-2013 (inclusive)18902013
- Quantity
- 11 linear feet
- Collection Number
- XOE_CPNWS0288griffinbrian
- Summary
- These papers were either generated or collected by long-time Bellingham resident Brian L. Griffin. The collection includes audio-visual materials on Whatcom County (Wash.), Depot Market Square records, Fairhaven Village Green Committee records, other Bellingham development project records, local mining company share certificates, bank receipts, and maps.
- Repository
-
Western Washington University, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
Goltz-Murray Archives Building
808 25th St.
Bellingham, WA
98225
Telephone: (360) 650-7534
cpnws@wwu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Some access restrictions may apply - contact repository for details.
- Languages
- English
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
These papers were either generated or collected by long-time Bellingham resident Brian L. Griffin. The collection includes audio-visual materials on Whatcom County (Wash.), Depot Market Square records, Fairhaven Village Green Committee records, other Bellingham development project records, local mining company share certificates, bank receipts, and maps.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
To learn more about problematic content in our collections, collection description and teaching tools (including how to provide feedback or request dialogue on this topic), see our Statement About Potentially Harmful Language and Content
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Some use restrictions may apply - contact repository for details.
Preferred Citation
Brian L. Griffin papers, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225-9123.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The Brian L. Griffin papers are organized according to the following series arrangement:
- Series I. Audio-visual materials on Whatcom County (Wash.), 1988; 2005-2010
- Series II. Depot Market Square project records, 2004-2006
- Series III. Fairhaven Village Green records, 2001-2006
- Series IV. Other Bellingham development project records, circa 1980s
- Series V. Antique maps and certificates of shares and payment, 1890-1902
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: Audio-visual materials on Whatcom County (Wash.), 1888-2010Return to Top
NOTE: Abstracts provided by Brian Griffin.
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | "A Centennial Plaque for Masonic Hall" |
2005 |
| 1 | 2 | Arnold, Dr. John oral history – "The Painterly Doctor"
(Parts I and II)
A long time community physician, mountaineer and artist, Dr.
Arnold shares his interesting life story.
|
2008 April |
| 1 | 3 | Barber, Frances Waldron (daughter of C. W. Waldron)
oral history
Incredibly, this woman in her eighties is the daughter of one of
the major players of the Fairhaven Boom of 1890. Her father built the Waldron
Building still standing on 12th St. in Fairhaven.
|
2008 April |
| 1 | 4 | Beard, Chuck oral history - "The Union Printing
Company," |
2010 November |
| 1 | 5 | Blethen, John oral history – "Cabinet Maker, Squire of
Toad Hall, Civic Leader"
John was an early arrival among the "hippy" occupants of
Fairhaven in the 1970s. Always an activist, he created "Toad Hall" in the basement
of the Nelson Block. Now a staid and respected local business man, John tells of
those wild old days in Fairhaven.
|
2008 May 19 |
| 1 | 6 | Bowman, Jack and Joanne – "Dust Bowl
Refugees"
Both Bowmans came to the Northwest with their families as
infants fleeing the tragedy of the "Dust Bowl." Rising from the depths of the Great
Depression to the leadership of one of America's great corporations, they have now
retired to the city of their youth. Their generous philanthropy has enriched their
community and validated the American Dream.
|
2009 May 27 |
| 1 | 7 | Byron, Muriel oral history
A longtime resident of the Fort Bellingham area of Bellingham,
Muriel relates her family story including early retailing history in downtown
Bellingham.
|
2006 March |
| 1 | 8 | Carver, Jack oral history - "Herald
Photographer" |
2011 |
| 1 | 9 | Collins, Brigid oral history - "Brigid Collins: Her
Life and Legacy" |
2011 |
| 1 | 10 | Culver, Ken – "33 Years with a Victorian Lady: The
Gamwell House" |
2006 January |
| 1 | 11 | Elich, Dr. Peter with Brian Griffin – "The Croatians
of Bellingham" (Parts I and II)
A longtime resident of the Fort Bellingham area of Bellingham,
Muriel relates her family story including early retailing history in downtown
Bellingham.
|
undated |
| 1 | 12 | Elich, Dr. Peter oral history – "The Intellectual
Fisherman"
Born into a fishing family in the Croatian "Slav" enclave in
Fairhaven in the early 1930's, Pete Elich tells his fascinating story of that
culture and of his rise to a major administrative position in higher education at
WWU. This is a classic American story.
|
2008 May 7 |
| 1 | 13 | Elsethagen, Jo oral history - "Bellingham
Native"
Born in Bellingham to a prominent family, Jo tells of her youth
and growing up in Bellingham.
|
2009 January |
| 1 | 14 | Fairhaven Village Green – "A History" |
undated |
| 1 | 15 | Fleeson, Pat oral history
This determined and resourceful woman almost single-handedly
saved the iconic old City Hall from demolition after the fire. The Whatcom Museum is
indebted to her for its very existence. This fine artist tells about her life and
the fight to save the Museum Building in an entertaining interview.
|
2005 January 9 |
| 1 | 16 | Fleetwood, Hugh oral history - "Hugh Fleetwood:
Philosopher Professor" |
2011 |
| 1 | 17 | Gibb Family oral history
The life story of a well-known Bellingham family long
established in the medical community.
|
2005 April |
| 1 | 18 | Glenn, Tom (retired Port Manager) oral history (Parts
I and II)
Listen to the incredible recall of this longtime Port figure as
he relates his long and productive life. Those who knew and loved him will treasure
the memory. It is a long story on two discs.
|
2006 August |
Griffin, Brian - Boulevard Park on the old
waterfront
Presentation at the Whatcom Museum. Electronic/digital resource - contact repository
re: access.
|
undated | ||
Griffin, Brian - BTV10 Bellingham Voices interview
with Deb Slater
Electronic/digital file. Contact repository re: access.
|
2019 October | ||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 19 | Griffin, Brian – "Depot Market Square" |
2004 January – 2006 July |
Griffin, Brian - J.J. Donovan Treasures from the trunk
presentation
Electronic/digital file. Contact repository re: access.
|
2013 September 13 | ||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 20 | Griffin, Brian oral history
Interviewed by the WWU library staff as a part of the 2007
Campus School reunion program. Much about his life but mostly about the Campus
School experience.
|
2006 April |
| 1 | 21 | Griffin, Brian – "South Hill Memories" |
2008 May |
| 1 | 22 | Griffin, Brian – "The Brothers Davis - Vince &
Brantley"
Two brothers, one an MD, the other a DDS, tell the story of
their bringing up and sharing a fascinating role in the resurrection of
Fairhaven.
|
2009 January |
| 1 | 23 | Griffin, Brian – "The Charles X. Larrabee Bust
Unveiling" |
2008 October 18 |
| 1 | 24 | Griffin, Brian – "To Market To Market: Bellingham
Farmers Market 2005 Season" |
2005 |
| 2 | 1 | Hansen, Joe – "Old Tired Joe"
Joe, now in his early nineties, was raised in lower Fairhaven; a
star athlete and student leader at Fairhaven High, a flier during WW2, an engineer,
sailor and community leader. His life story tells much about Fairhaven in the
twenties.
|
2008 November 19 |
| cassette | |||
| History of Boulevard Park | History of Boulevard Park |
ca 2012 | |
| Box | Folder | ||
| 2 | 2 | Hovde, Jack – "Third Generation Carpenter" |
2010 January 23 |
| 2 | 3 | Imus, Ken oral history
A hometown boy who went to California, made a fortune, and came
home to resurrect Fairhaven. Ken and his family have owned most of the historic
village at one time or another, built many of the new buildings, and been
responsible for much of its renaissance.
|
2006 February |
| 2 | 4 | Johanson, Larry and Bev – "The Doe Bay Chronicles"
(Parts I and II)
The interesting story of the creation and development of the
enclave of Bellingham folks at Doe Bay on Orcas Island. The story is entwined with
the history of the Culver/Johanson families.
|
2005 March |
| 2 | 5 | Johnson, Dick oral history – "The Demise of the
Fairhaven Hotel"
This longtime Bellingham florist shares his family history and a
wonderful tale of the demolition of the iconic Fairhaven Hotel.
|
2009 July |
| 2 | 6 | Jones, Lafayette Rogan oral history – "Broadcast
Pioneer"
Memories of a giant in the radio and television broadcasting
world in our region and the nation as recalled by a former employee, Joseph
Coons.
|
2007 January |
| 2 | 7 | Kink, Mitch oral history
Another of the South Bellingham "Slav" fishing community, a
longtime educator, Mitch Kinkocich tells about the early days in the Fairhaven
ethnic community.
|
2008 May |
| 2 | 8 | Kuljis, Martin oral history
A Bellingham native and lifelong participant in the fishing
industry, Martin tells his family story and much of the story of the "Slav" fishing
community.
|
2007 June |
| 2 | 9 | Lecocq, Irwin oral history
This business and cultural leader tells the story of his family
and his bank, Peoples Bank. A Whatcom County success story.
|
2005 February 18 |
| 2 | 10 | Main, Gerry and the Bellingham Yacht Club
Lifelong Bellingham resident, active boater, wholesale lumber
broker, and father of five children, Main tells his family story with flashbacks
about the old Yacht Club in Chuckanut Bay.
|
2010 January 22 |
| 2 | 11 | McDermott, Robert (sculptor) and Brian Griffin – "The
Heroic Bust of C. X. Larrabee"
Sculptor Bob McDermott and Brian Griffin discuss the technique,
artistry and construction of the heroic bust of Larrabee which stands in the
McKenzie Alley entrance on 11th Street in Fairhaven.
|
2008 |
| 2 | 12 | McDermott, Robert (sculptor) oral history
The implausible life story of the artist who created the beloved
Dirty Dan Harris statue in Fairhaven Village Green. How an impoverished kid from the
South grew to be a great artist, progressing through a rural education, being a
submariner in the U.S. Navy, an engineering career, and finally attending art school
in retirement. A must see for anyone who dreams artistic dreams.
|
undated |
| 2 | 13 | McNeill, Josephine Kindall (Mrs. Al) oral
history
This remarkable ninety three year old is the daughter of a
prominent early attorney and the granddaughter of the civil engineer who built and
operated Whatcom County's first railroad, the Bellingham Bay and British Columbia
R.R. Grandpa Stangroom was Pierre Cornwall's man in Sehome. An important historical
lineage.
|
2005 |
| 2 | 14 | Miller, Clemens Marc oral history
The first oral history in the series done many years ago with
Brian Griffin's uncle. A great recitation of family stories, with important side
bars including The Civil War, Early day Seattle, and the Hanford atomic
plant.
|
1988 |
| 2 | 15 | Miller, Ruth Gahnberg oral history
The wife of Clemens Mark Miller, she tells a story of the
Scandinavian immigrant families who have made such an impact on the Seattle and
Pacific Northwest communities. A news reporter and community activist, she has led a
full and interesting life.
|
2005 December |
| 2 | 16 | Moles, Robert Sr. oral history
Interviewed just weeks before his life was claimed by cancer,
this remarkable community leader tells of his life. Among his many contributions,
Bob Moles can be given credit for the creation of Bellingham's Boulevard Park. He
tells how it all happened.
|
2004 December |
| 2 | 17 | Monson, Ian & Ruth – "Bellingham
Natives"
Both Bellingham natives, Ian was a Fairhaven neighbor of
Margaret Gray. They share their stories and their memories of the Grays.
|
2009 June |
| 3 | 1 | Morse, David Sr. oral history (Parts I and
II)
The life story of this longtime community leader told on two
discs. The scion of a historic pioneer family tells his and the Morse Hardware
Company story.
|
2005 February 22 |
| 3 | 2 | Morse, Joyce Pfeuller
At age 95, Joyce Morse tells her life story with charm, humor
and wonderful recall. A tale of covered wagons, homesteading, and Ellis Island
evolves over several generations into a powerful story of family, business success,
and contribution to our community.
|
2010 January 18 |
| 3 | 3 | Pennington, Robert Varian oral history
The life story of a Bellingham boy who came from Oklahoma in the
late 30's, grew up here, and went out into the world to achieve significant business
success. He discusses his life with childhood and lifetime friend Brian
Griffin.
|
2008 April 14 |
| 3 | 4 | Rinne, Ralph oral history - "Surgeon" |
2011 |
| 3 | 5 | Simmons, Robert oral history - "Newsman, TV
Commentator, Thespian" |
2011 |
| 3 | 6 | Tweit, Gordon oral history – "Fairhaven's
Pharmacist"
"Gordie" is a community treasure with total recall of the past
eighty-plus years of Fairhaven history and an incredible personal museum to back it
up. To know Gordie is to know Fairhaven.
|
2008 April |
| 3 | 7 | Van Zanten, Paul and Shirley oral history - "Paul Van
Zanten and the Tulip Industry" and "Shirley Van Zanten Whatcom County
Executive" |
2011 |
| 3 | 8 | Watts, Margaret Morse
The daughter of Cecil Morse, first son of pioneer hardware
merchant R.I. Morse. A teacher at Bellingham High School, she married local
physician Arthur Watts. A friend and confidant of fellow teacher Margaret Gray, she
shares her family memories and reminiscences of Miss Gray.
|
2009 June |
| 3 | 9 | Zanchi, Rose oral history – "St. Joseph's Night
Nurse"
Another member of the Croatian community of Bellingham's
Southside, Rose was for many years the night nursing supervisor for St. Joseph's
Hospital. This is her story.
|
undated |
Series II: Depot Market Square project records, 2004-2006Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 4-6 | Depot Market Square project records |
2004-2006 |
| Oversize Folder | ||
| Oversize Folder | Depot Market Square project records |
2004-2006 |
| Rolled Document | ||
| Rolled Documents | Depot Market Square project records |
2004-2006 |
Series III: Fairhaven Village Green Committee records, 2001-2006Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 7 | 1-2 | "Beginnings" |
circa 2001-2003 |
| 7 | 3 | Bathroom gate (Ershig) |
circa 2002-2003 |
| 7 | 4 | Bollards |
circa 2002 |
| 7 | 5 | Dog fountain |
circa 2002 |
| 7 | 6 | Dedication day |
2003 |
| 7 | 7 | Dedication day photographs |
circa 2003 |
| 7 | 8 | Ideas that did not happen |
circa 2003 |
| 7 | 9 | Fairhaven Fund |
2003 |
| 7 | 10 | Lanny Little mural |
2003 |
| 8 | 1 | Pergola |
circa 2002-2003 |
| 8 | 2 | Dirty Dan Harris statue |
circa 2002-2003 |
| 8 | 3 | "In Defense of 'Dirty' Dan Harris" |
undated |
| 8 | 4 | Sales tax matters |
circa 2001-2003 |
| 8 | 5-6 | Fundraising |
circa 2001-2003 |
| 9 | 1-2 | Paver and stone inscriptions |
circa 2000-2005 |
| 9 | 3 | Runy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence
(application) |
2005 |
| 9 | 4 | J.C. Hickman files |
circa 2001-2002 |
| 9 | 5 | Certificate of appreciation |
2002 |
| 10 | 1 | Pictures and press |
circa 2003-2004 |
| 10 | 2 | Project cost total |
2002 |
| 10 | 3 | Bid documents |
2002 |
| 10 | 4 | Construction details |
circa 2002 |
| 10 | 5 | Furniture bought by committee |
circa 2002 |
| 10 | 6 | Manhole covers |
undated |
| 10 | 7 | Fairhaven Village Green fund - agreement with Parks
Department |
2002 2006 |
| Oversize Folder | |||
| Oversize Folder | Fairhaven Village Green Schematics |
2002 | |
Other Bellingham development project records
|
1980-1989 | ||
| Box | |||
| Box 11-12 | Other Bellingham development project
records |
circa 1980s | |
Series IV: Antique maps and certificates of shares and payment, 1890-1902Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 13 | 1 | Red Mountain Gold Mining Company Share
Certificate |
1902 |
| 13 | 2 | The Bellingham Bay Boom Company Share
Certificate |
1893 |
| 13 | 3 | Pierce Gold Mining Company Shares
Certificate |
1902 |
| 13 | 4 | The Bank of Fairhaven and Handwritten Receipts |
1890 |
| Rolled Document | |||
| 13 | 5 | Map of Sehome Addition to Sehome and
Whatcom |
1989 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Farmers' markets -- Washington (State) -- Bellingham -- History -- Sources.
- Public spaces -- Washington (State) -- Bellingham -- History -- Sources.
- Urban parks -- Washington (State) -- Bellingham -- History -- Sources.
Personal Names
- Griffin, Brian L., -- 1932- -- Archives.
Geographical Names
- Bellingham (Wash.) -- History -- Sources.
- Fairhaven (Wash.) -- History -- Sources.
- Whatcom County (Wash.) -- History -- Sources.
Form or Genre Terms
- Interviews.
- Records (Documents)
Finding aid prepared by Rozlind Koester
2011
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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