Do you ever drive to Port Angeles and think about what used to be “there” during your drive? After finding some old photos of what used to be at Fairholm, I thought I would jog some old memories.There are two theories on who named Fairholm (sometimes with an e) one being Carolyn Jones Rixon named the spot in the late 1890s; another is Postmistress Mrs. George Machelle gave the spot the name in 1893 when the post office needed a name.

Early in its history Fairholm was used as a ferry terminal for transporting passengers to and from the east side of the lake. The first ferry was a passenger steamer put in the lake in 1899, it was called “Lady of the Lake” and was built at Port Crescent. Another ferry to make an appearance on the lake was the ferry “Flier” and it was built on Lake Crescent by the Barnes Brothers.

The Fairholm Landing was purchased by Capt. Horne in May 1916 and he built a log house on the beach, he later sold the property to Al Fairservice.After the Olympic Highway was completed, ferry service on the lake was no longer needed.

Fairholm Landing changed hands again in 1928 from the Sol Duc Land Company to Bill and Betty Lenoir and was later named “Lenoirs” It operated under that name until October 1964, when Art and Shelia Schott purchase the business and changed it back to the Fairholm Resort. By 1968 it was a busy place.

The Schotts made huge changes to the property, completely remodeling the entire business adding a dining room and cocktail lounge, both overlooking the lake, adding facilities for banquets and parties.

They offered rental boats and paddle bikes as well as lots of accommodations for guests. Today all that is left of the once busy business is the Fairholm General Store, which I don’t know if and when it is ever open, and Olympic National Park that offers camping.