OAK HARBOR 1851: A NEW BEGINNING
In 1848, gold was discovered in California and adventurers of all nationalities came seeking. Three of the adventurers were Ulrich Freund, a Swiss army officer, Clement Washington Sumner, a New Englander, and Zakarias Martin Taftezon, a Norwegian. The three banded together forging a strong friendship in New Orleans and headed west to seek their fame and fortune in mining. Failing to attain their riches in gold, the three changed course to the north and the Oregon Territory to pursue farming and the promise of land ownership. Reaching the Olympia area, they met another pioneer who advised them to consider Whidbey Island as their destination.
Whidbey was a "party/potlatch" center for many native tribes that traveled by canoe throughout the waterways of the Oregon Territory. The area of interest to the three pioneers was the land bordering a shallow bay on the east side of Whidbey Island. The natives called the place Kla-tole-tsche, later to be renamed Oak Harbor for the thriving Garry oak forests bordering the bay.
On September 27, 1850, the Donation Land Claim Act was established by the United States Congress. This Act created to populate the newly formed Oregon Territory and allowed Freund, Sumner and Taftezon to claim 320 acres each.
Ulrich Freund
In December of 1850, eager to view their potential destination, the band of three enlisted the help of the Tulalip tribe as guides with their canoes for transport to Whidbey Island. Unfortunately, the Skwdap tribe, a subgroup of the Skagit tribe at war with the Tulalips, was occupying the intended landing site, now Oak Harbor. The new destination was the west side of the eastern bay at Crescent Harbor then called the “the Big Spring” for its freshwater. Once landing, it is reported that Taftezon rushed to the bluff separating the east bay from the west bay, climbed to the top and upon seeing what was below proclaimed, “Eureka … we have found our earthly paradise.”
Clenent Washington Summer
On January 4, 1851, a new beginning for Oak Harbor was created when Donation Land Claims were officially filed by Ulrich Freund, Clement Washington Sumner, and Zakarias Martin Taftezon. Ownership was legitimized further by the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliot.
Zakarias Martin Taftezon
Taftezon lived most of his life in Oak Harbor; however, distraught over the death of his children from disease, he sold his claim to Sea Captain Ed Barrington. Taftezon left Oak Harbor three times – always to return. He died in Oak Harbor on August 13, 1901. In July 1931, his body was moved to Stanwood, where he was honored as the first Norwegian settler in the state. Sumner also sold his claim to Barrington and was quoted as writing, “When it becomes so crowded you can see the smoke from your neighbor’s cabin, it is time to leave.” Ulrich Freund never married, but his niece and nephew joined him on his claim, and their descendants continue to occupy a portion of the Freund Claim. Their farm is the oldest continuously active Donation Land Claim farm in Washington State. Freund family descendants continue to honor, and make significant positive impacts on the local area.
Artist Richard Nash’s contemporary sculpture was designed as a symbol of the three explorers and a tribute to their success to be seen by air, land and sea. The adjacent large rock, having been relocated, holds the original acknowledgement of this event. In total, the installation “highlights the path of Oak Harbor’s beginnings, leading to the possibilities of what is to come.” It is from the historical land claims of Freund, Sumner and Taftezon that today’s Oak Harbor community grew.
This project was funded through 90% private donations, services, and volunteer hours as well as 10% from the Oak Harbor City Arts Commission. May, 2018, this was given to the City of Oak Harbor.
Thank you, significant DONORS
AA Electric
Rick Almberg, Laura Moore and Family
City of Oak Harbor
City of Oak Harbor Arts Commission
Jacob and Patty Cohen
Compton Family
Sally and Ed Crelly
Davido Consulting Group, Inc.
Janette Ellis and Family
Mayor R. O. Ellis, DVM and Family
Freund Family
Jason and Anna Gentry
Stan and Chris Grovdahl and Family
Gregory S. Hancock
Dr. and Mrs. Larry Hartman
Hornung Family
Island Thrift
Gail Iverson Family
J.J. and Kathy Jones
Sue Karahalios and Family
Brad and Debra Lang
LangCo NW, Inc.
R. David Lawler Jr. 5/23/84-9/17/16
Lois Lewis and Family
Miles Sand and Gravel
Richard and Sherry Nash and Family
North Whidbey Lions Club
Oak Harbor Lions Club
Robert and Carolyn O’Dell and Family
Jan Pederson
Rainbow Metals
Rotary Club of Oak Harbor
Bob and Rhonda Severns
Dr. and Mrs. Steve Talmadge
Tipton Family
Valdez Construction
Wallgren Family
Gary and Martha Wallin and Family
Donald and Gloria Wampler
Wezeman Family
Whidbey Island Bank
Rogers and Jeannene Wisniewski