|
The historic town of
Coupeville was founded by Thomas Coupe in 1852 and is home to art galleries,
the historic museum, antique shops, and restaurants featuring local produce.
In 1978 Ebey's Landing
National Historical Reserve was formed including 17,000 acres with miles of
scenic trails, spectacular views of Ebey's Prairie, Puget Sound, and both the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. Coupeville is located in the
center of the National Historical Reserve, and it's charming architecture
attests Coupeville strives to stay historically accurate with not only the
historical buildings being restored, but with any new construction.
Aside from being an historic
gem of Whidbey Island, Coupeville is the Island County seat. Most of
the county offices are located in a recently renovated complex close to
downtown Coupeville. Near the County complex is Whidbey General
Hospital and numerous medical offices for the health of island residents.
Included on the reserve is the
San De Fuca School house overlooking Grasser's Lagoon and Penn Cove, and the
old Coupeville school house that was restored in 2003. Two state parks
are located on the reserve, Ft. Casey State Park with the famous Admiralty
Inlet lighthouse, and Ft. Ebey State Park.
Ft. Ebey has miles of hiking
trails with views of Port Townsend and the Olympic Mountain Range across
Admiralty Inlet. It all offers and entrance to the Kettles Trail for hiking
and biking right into Coupeville. Ft. Casey was originally
designed to be part of the "Triangle of Death" to prevent a naval invasion
during WWI. Fort Casey welcomes visitors to climb it's battlements,
explore the barracks, see the 10-inch disappearing guns aimed across
Admiralty Inlet, and visit the Admiralty Head Lighthouse. The shipping
lanes of Admiralty Inlet are full of boat traffic from naval and aircraft
vessels to freighters and passenger ships.
Both Ft. Ebey and Ft. Casey
have an abundance of birds, and marine life combined with the unforgettable
views of Puget Sound and the mountains.
Annual festivals in Coupeville
include: Penn Cove Mussel festival in March; the Penn Cove
Water festival in spring, celebrating the Island's rich
native American history with tribal long boat races; the summer Arts and Crafts Festival;
the Greening of Coupeville around Christmas; and various art walks
throughout the year.
|
