Ferry House (Ebey's Landing)
Encyclopedia
One of the oldest residential buildings in Washington, the Ferry House was built in 1860 by Winfield Scott Ebey as an Inn to provide financial stability for his brother’s children, who were orphaned when Isacc Neff Ebey
was brutally murdered and beheaded by Canadian natives. Once completed and opened for business, the building was named The Ebey Inn. The prime location across Admiralty Inlet
from Port Townsend, Washington
meant a steady flow of travelers and income for the three Ebey children. With no other nearby accommodations, the Inn — which housed a post office, a tavern, and rooms for overnight guests — quickly became an important place for sailors and other travelers to rest before continuing their journeys to Coupeville
, Whidbey Island
, La Conner, Washington
, and points further north. Travelers and locals could also purchase merchandise and groceries at the Inn, which served ferry
traffic to and from Port Townsend until a new ferry dock was constructed near Fort Casey
at the turn of the 20th century. The house stayed in the Ebey family for 57 years, until Isaac Ebey’s grandson sold the old Inn in 1917.
The old Inn is currently owned by the National Park Service. The Ferry House became part of the 17500 acres (70.8 km²) Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
created in 1978 to protect the rural working landscape and community on Central Whidbey Island. It is one of more than 400 historic buildings in the NHR.
cabins — abandoned after his murder — to construct the Inn. Though they no longer exist, the cabins originally stood on the opposite side of the ravine that runs behind the Ferry House. The structure is a -story vernacular
residence with Greek Revival
elements, clapboard siding
, a wood-shingled gable
roof, and a gable-roofed dormer
on the north facade.
Like most pioneer
homes, the house started out small and additions were made as they were needed. It was constructed with salvaged 1-by-12 fir planks that extend from the bottom of the first floor to the top of the second. The two floors are held up with two-by-fours attached to the exterior walls. Several of the interior walls show weathering, proving they were exterior walls at some point.
In 1917, a lightning strike ripped the siding off the west wall, busted out two windows, and destroyed one of the two original interior chimneys. The chimney was replaced with an exterior one, but today that chimney is now gone. The Inn also had an upper veranda which lasted for several decades before either being blown off, rotting away, or dismantled, it’s unsure which. You can still see where the second story door to the veranda was located just above the front door, though today that door is a window.
Modern utilities — like indoor plumbing and electricity — have never been added to the Ferry House.
Wallpaper on several interior walls of the Ferry House, as well as the front door, was added by a film crew in 1998 for the scenes in the 1999 movie Snow Falling On Cedars
.
A framework of two-by-sixes has been constructed in the living room, parlor, and first floor bedroom to prevent the second floor from collapsing.
In 2010, the Ferry House was one of 25 finalists competing for a share of one million dollars in funding for restoration and preservation provided by American Express
in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation
. On Sunday, May 2, 2010, the National Park Service unlocked the doors of the old Inn for an open house as part of the Seattle-Puget Sound Partners in Preservation Initiative. While the public could only tour the first floor, it was the first time in many years the house had visitors inside.
Isaac N. Ebey
Colonel Isaac Neff Ebey was the first permanent white resident of Whidbey Island, Washington.Ebey was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1818. During his childhood Ebey's father, Jacob, moved the family to Adair County, Missouri where as a young man, the young Ebey was trained in the law...
was brutally murdered and beheaded by Canadian natives. Once completed and opened for business, the building was named The Ebey Inn. The prime location across Admiralty Inlet
Admiralty Inlet
Admiralty Inlet is a strait in the U.S. state of Washington connecting the eastern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Puget Sound. It lies between Whidbey Island and the northeastern part of the Olympic Peninsula....
from Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is a city in Jefferson County, Washington, United States, approximately north-northwest of Seattle . The population was 9,113 at the 2010 census an increase of 9.3% over the 2000 census. It is the county seat and only incorporated city of Jefferson County...
meant a steady flow of travelers and income for the three Ebey children. With no other nearby accommodations, the Inn — which housed a post office, a tavern, and rooms for overnight guests — quickly became an important place for sailors and other travelers to rest before continuing their journeys to Coupeville
Coupeville, Washington
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,723 people, 737 households, and 426 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,346.7 people per square mile . There were 814 housing units at an average density of 636.2 per square mile...
, Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is one of nine islands located in Island County, Washington, in the United States. Whidbey is located about north of Seattle, and lies between the Olympic Peninsula and the I-5 corridor of western Washington...
, La Conner, Washington
La Conner, Washington
La Conner is a town in Skagit County, Washington, United States with a population of 891 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Mount Vernon–Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area. In the month of April, the town annually hosts the majority of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival...
, and points further north. Travelers and locals could also purchase merchandise and groceries at the Inn, which served ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
traffic to and from Port Townsend until a new ferry dock was constructed near Fort Casey
Fort Casey
Fort Casey State Park is located on Whidbey Island in Washington state. Admiralty Inlet was considered so strategic to the defense of Puget Sound in the 1890s that three forts, Fort Casey on Whidbey Island, Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island, and Fort Worden at Port Townsend, were built at the...
at the turn of the 20th century. The house stayed in the Ebey family for 57 years, until Isaac Ebey’s grandson sold the old Inn in 1917.
The old Inn is currently owned by the National Park Service. The Ferry House became part of the 17500 acres (70.8 km²) Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is a unit of the National Park Service near Coupeville, Washington.-Description:The Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, a rural historic district, preserves and protects an unbroken historical record of Puget Sound exploration and settlement from...
created in 1978 to protect the rural working landscape and community on Central Whidbey Island. It is one of more than 400 historic buildings in the NHR.
Construction
Winfield Ebey used wood from his brother Isaac'sIsaac N. Ebey
Colonel Isaac Neff Ebey was the first permanent white resident of Whidbey Island, Washington.Ebey was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1818. During his childhood Ebey's father, Jacob, moved the family to Adair County, Missouri where as a young man, the young Ebey was trained in the law...
cabins — abandoned after his murder — to construct the Inn. Though they no longer exist, the cabins originally stood on the opposite side of the ravine that runs behind the Ferry House. The structure is a -story vernacular
Vernacular architecture
Vernacular architecture is a term used to categorize methods of construction which use locally available resources and traditions to address local needs and circumstances. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural and historical context in which it...
residence with Greek Revival
Greek Revival architecture
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture...
elements, clapboard siding
Clapboard (architecture)
Clapboard, also known as bevel siding or lap siding or weather-board , is a board used typically for exterior horizontal siding that has one edge thicker than the other and where the board above laps over the one below...
, a wood-shingled gable
Gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
roof, and a gable-roofed dormer
Dormer
A dormer is a structural element of a building that protrudes from the plane of a sloping roof surface. Dormers are used, either in original construction or as later additions, to create usable space in the roof of a building by adding headroom and usually also by enabling addition of windows.Often...
on the north facade.
Like most pioneer
American pioneer
American pioneers are any of the people in American history who migrated west to join in settling and developing new areas. The term especially refers to those who were going to settle any territory which had previously not been settled or developed by European or American society, although the...
homes, the house started out small and additions were made as they were needed. It was constructed with salvaged 1-by-12 fir planks that extend from the bottom of the first floor to the top of the second. The two floors are held up with two-by-fours attached to the exterior walls. Several of the interior walls show weathering, proving they were exterior walls at some point.
In 1917, a lightning strike ripped the siding off the west wall, busted out two windows, and destroyed one of the two original interior chimneys. The chimney was replaced with an exterior one, but today that chimney is now gone. The Inn also had an upper veranda which lasted for several decades before either being blown off, rotting away, or dismantled, it’s unsure which. You can still see where the second story door to the veranda was located just above the front door, though today that door is a window.
Modern utilities — like indoor plumbing and electricity — have never been added to the Ferry House.
Ferry House today
Today, the house is under the protection of the United States Government. It stands as a time capsule that provides a unique glimpse into Washington’s early Territorial history. While the house remains locked year round, the grounds are open to pedestrians.Wallpaper on several interior walls of the Ferry House, as well as the front door, was added by a film crew in 1998 for the scenes in the 1999 movie Snow Falling On Cedars
Snow Falling on Cedars (film)
Snow Falling on Cedars is a film directed by Scott Hicks. It is based on David Guterson's novel of the same title. It was released in 1999 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography.-Plot:...
.
A framework of two-by-sixes has been constructed in the living room, parlor, and first floor bedroom to prevent the second floor from collapsing.
In 2010, the Ferry House was one of 25 finalists competing for a share of one million dollars in funding for restoration and preservation provided by American Express
American Express
American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best...
in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...
. On Sunday, May 2, 2010, the National Park Service unlocked the doors of the old Inn for an open house as part of the Seattle-Puget Sound Partners in Preservation Initiative. While the public could only tour the first floor, it was the first time in many years the house had visitors inside.
See also
- USS Massachusetts, Battle of Port Gamble
- Washington TerritoryWashington TerritoryThe Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 8, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington....