Lynden is the second largest city in Whatcom County, Washington, and arguably the second most northwestern city in the Contiguous United States, after Blaine.
Named and established in 1874 on the site of the Noocksack Indian village Squahalish (Nooksack: Sqwehálich), the town began as a pioneer settlement headed by Holden and Phoebe Judson and is today home to one of the largest CRC Dutch American communities in the nation.
Lynden is approximately five miles south of the U.S.-Canadian border, with Lynden-Aldergrove operation and port of entry hours between 8:00 a.m. and midnight.
The population was 9,020 at the 2000 census. Residents of Lynden are known as "Lyndenites".
Lynden is also home to the Northwest Washington Fair.
History
The windmill of Dutch Village Inn on the corner of Front and 9th Streets.
Lynden was begun in 1871 and established in 1874 by Holden and Phoebe Judson near the site of the Nooksack Indian village Squahalish (Nooksack: Sqwehálich). It was named by Phoebe Judson after the riverside town in Hohenlinden, a poem by Thomas Campbell, stating:
| “ |
On Linden, when the sun was low,
All bloodless lay the untrodden snow;
And dark as winter was the flow
Of Iser rolling rapidly. |
” |
According to her book, A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home, she changed the spelling of "Linden" to be more visually appealing. The town was officially incorporated on March 16, 1891.
The town lies in a broad valley along the winding path of the Nooksack River, which empties into nearby Bellingham Bay. The surrounding area is filled with dairy, raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry farms. The region saw significant Dutch immigration in the early and mid 1900s, spurring the growth of dairies. Today, Lynden pays homage to its Dutch heritage through locations such as Front Street, which has been made-over with a Dutch theme, complete with its own windmill. Along that street, you'll find a Dutch bakery, Dutch restaurants and numerous antiques stores. Local supermarkets contain Dutch food sections, and Dutch is still spoken by some of the town's residents.
The World Famous Raspberry Festival is held the third weekend in July every year. The festival includes the Curt Maberry 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the Razz & Shine Car Show, The Raspberry Fun Run, tours of raspberry fields and wineries and the ever popular Raspberry & Ice Cream All Day social. Other notable events are the Farmer's Day Parade, the Holland Days Parade, the Sinterklaas/Lighted Christmas Parade, the Antique Tractor Show, and many other events that can be seen in more detail at Lynden's website calendar.[8]
The town is noted for its manicured lawns, cheery gardens, Dutch architecture and abundance of Reformed churches. In August, the Northwest Washington Fair lures thousands, and allows locals to display their agricultural products, art, and crafts.
In 2005, Lynden gained renown for its infamous Lynden Drug Tunnel, built by a band of Canadian drug-smugglers in the basement of a residence north of Lynden.
Lynden is one of the few cities in the world whose main entrance is in between two cemeteries.[citation needed] At one time, Lynden held the world record for most churches per square mile and per capita. Due to the town's large population of those who attend or are members of Lynden's many Reformed churches, the town has long enforced Blue Laws which strongly discourage working on Sundays. Also in line with the town's established Blue Laws is the ordinance against mixing liquor and dancing within the city limits. While this law is still strictly enforced, a law prohibitng Sunday alcohol sales on the books since August 1967 was officially lifted on October 27, 2008.
Geography
Lynden is located at 48°56′48″N 122°27′25″W / 48.94667°N 122.45694°W / 48.94667; -122.45694 (48.946606, -122.456927).[9]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.8 km²), of which, 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) of it is land and 0.24% is water.
Demographics
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 9,020 people, 3,426 households, and 2,500 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,208.8 people per square mile (853.6/km²). There were 3,592 housing units at an average density of 879.6/sq mi (339.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.07% White, 0.27% African American, 0.45% Native American, 2.26% Asian, 2.51% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.73% of the population.
There were 3,426 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,767, and the median income for a family was $50,449. Males had a median income of $39,597 versus $23,292 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,639. About 4.1% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.
It is also interesting to note that (according to the Dutch that visit) it is more Dutch than Holland itself, currently.[citation needed]
Sister City
Lynden has one sister city [2]:
Notable Lyndenites
Surrounding communities
References
See also
External links
