The historic wharf building at Coupeville on Whidbey Island is a beloved maritime icon on Whidbey Island. The wharf and pier, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has received some recent improvements.
In the Beginning. The Coupeville wharf was built in 1905 by local merchants and farmers for passenger travel and for exporting grain produced on the island. The wharf was owned for several decades by local businessman and long-standing Coupeville Mayor, Elmer Calhoun.
The north side of the wharf building included a waiting room and a restroom, “a two-holer that flushed with the tide,” for steamboat passengers. When the Deception Pass Bridge was completed in 1935, steamboat service from the island to Seattle was discontinued. Dick Hansen purchased the wharf from Elmer Calhoun for $10,000 in 1949 and renamed it the Coupeville Wharf & Seed Company. The grain tower was removed in 1985 and the causeway was renovated. The east end of the building was remodeled for use as a marine store and delicatessen.
In 1996, three mooring floats for pleasure craft were installed and an underground fuel tank added. The Port of Coupeville rebuilt the interior of the west wing in 1997 to include space for multiple retailers and a foyer featuring marine educational displays. Two additional moorage floats were added in 2001 for a total of 400 linear feet of dock moorage.
Recent Improvements. Piles have recently been replaced to keep the wharf on a stable foundation, and the fuel tanks have also been replaced. This fall 2024, restoration will begin on the wharf building itself, including the walls, windows, doors and trim. New metal shingles for the roof were installed last year. Plans are currently in the works to replace the dock, a welcome improvement for boaters.
Coupeville is an interesting stop for boaters, offering quaint shops and eateries. The Island County Historical Museum is worth a visit, showcasing the artifacts and history of Whidbey Island. Boaters may use the 3-hour complimentary moorage while visiting the village of Coupeville, or make payment at the office located on the pier for overnight stays. Be sure to check water depths at low and minus tides. Anchorage is available in the area near the docks.
