Semiahmoo History
Semiahmoo is a word derived from the local Native American and First Nations People which has several meanings, including “Half-Moon”, describing the shape of the Bay, “Water all Around”, describing the peninsula now called the “Spit”, and “Hole in the Sky”, referring to the rain shadow effect of the Olympic mountains. Although there is no agreement on the exact meaning of the word, there is universal acceptance that this is one of the most beautiful and unique places in the world.
Blaine
Blaine was first settled in 1856 by pioneers who established the town as a seaport for the west coast logging and fishing industries, and as a jumping off point for prospectors heading to British Columbia gold fields.
Cannery
Salmon canning was once a roaring business on the Semiahmoo Sandspit.
Semiahmoo Resort
The Semiahmoo Resort was founded by noted Whatcom County developer David Syre, whose company, Trillium, obtained rights to the land in an agreement with the Lummi Nation and Whatcom County Parks and Recreation. An Arnold Palmer designed golf course opened in 1984, and the Resort Hotel opened in 1987. Construction of residential neighborhoods and condominiums has been ongoing since the late 1980s.
