Prolific architect Frederick Stanley Piper designed the Memorial Park archway more than 100 years ago to honor Whatcom County soldiers who died in war. Today it stands as Bellingham’s second-oldest park.
Bellingham Parks & Recreation facilities manager Richard Griffin oversaw the nearly $4,000 restoration of the archway and said that it was necessary after noticing the park’s aging infrastructure. The restoration team utilized archival photos to determine different repairs, such as the bronze-colored star situated at the top.
After the Sunnyland Neighborhood Association received a small grant for community furnishings, the restoration process started last fall and spanned the course of four months. The wrought iron was removed for restoration.
The original archway features were riveted together with a steel backing on the letters, but records on when these repairs took place are not great, Griffin noted.
“This was just part of a general community effort to really renew some things, and reactivate the park in some ways, and it just made perfect sense to get this done before Memorial Day,” Griffin said.
The archway was originally dedicated on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1922. The park is located at the corner of King and East Maryland streets.
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Olivia Capriotti is a Dow Jones summer news intern, specializing in data journalism. Reach her at oliviacapriotti@cascadiadaily.com.
