Just west of the Guide Meridian in Ferndale on West Wiser Lake Road sits a granite obelisk, nearly double the height of its maker.
The monument was erected in the late 1800s by Knute Aker. Originally from Norway, he moved to Whatcom County in April 1883. His grandson, K.B. Aker, now 86 years old, said Knute lived in a family’s attic in Everson. He found property to buy, but overheard the family planning to “beat him out of the homestead rights.” Knute Aker walked from Everson to Old Town Bellingham’s courthouse to claim the 152 acres the next morning.
According to a 1953 article in The Bellingham Herald, the obelisk is located “where his ax first hacked at the virgin forest to clear a farm.” Aker believed it would take 300 years for the county to convert to farmland.
The land was divided between two of Aker’s children. His daughter’s portion included the house and obelisk. Aker’s son inherited the other portion. His grandson, K.B., and his wife, Janene Aker, bought that portion from the estate when K.B.’s mother passed. The land with the obelisk was sold and is no longer in the Aker family.
Knute Aker was 100 years and 6 months old when he passed away in 1965.
WTD is published online Mondays and in print Fridays. Have a suggestion for a "What's the Deal With?" inquiry? Email us at newstips@cascadiadaily.com.
Jaya Flanary is CDN's designer/digital editor; reach her at jayaflanary@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 106.
