Page 4 - Newsletter Spring 2023

Maple Cove Resort: a quiet slice of paradise

by Kyle Walker, local historian working
on a research project involving Sandy
Point
Atop the steep bluff above Maple
Cove is the site of the former Ivy Inn
– a seasonal vacation destination for
“refined people seeking a quiet slice of
paradise.”
While the Inn is no longer in exis-
tence, remnants remain to tell the story
of the area and the surrounding vaca-
tion cottages which made up the Maple
Cove Resort.
Remnants include wells scattered
across the bluffs and highlands that
piped in fresh water to the Inn and cot-
tages. This same infrastructure would
later be expanded to cabins, or stayed with The Highlands of Sandy Point
provide running water family and friends who Brothers Edward and Rollin Hawes of
to new homes that were were year round residents. Everett, became intrigued by the beau-
built along the upper Mainland businessmen, ty and development potential of south
bluffs and beach front of investors, and developers Whidbey when they visited the island
Sandy Point. began to recognize oppor- as young men at the turn of the century.
“Heritage” apple trees tunities on south Whidbey The sons of Ferdinand Bastellas
still bear fruit. A water targeted at “refined people Hawes, a pioneer stationery and book-
seeking a quiet slice of
trough, signed and dated, paradise.” This included store owner in Everett, they eventual-
echoes the value agricul- a growing urban popula- ly returned and purchased homestead
ture played in the area. tion who sought relief from the politi- lands from a Jane Knapp which includ-
Artifacts periodically present them- cal turmoil and societal conflicts of the ed a farmhouse and 162 acres of land
selves as gardeners tend the soil or re- Progressive Era. The once secluded, located just south of Brown’s Point in
mains of early homesteads (barns/ga- quiet, rural and bi-racial community of the highlands of Sandy Point.
rages/homes) are razed to give way to the greater Sandy Point area was about They named the area Maple Cove for
new development. Photos, documents to change. the many large maple trees that once
and artifacts associated with the Maple
Cove Resort are kept in family collec-
tions who share their personal stories
and connections to its past.
By 1890, transportation and technol-
ogy had rapidly increased the pace of
development and urban lifestyles on the
mainland from Seattle to Everett (rail-
roads, shipping, logging, manufactur-
ing). Sandy Point Beach, then a thriv-
ing maritime and agricultural center
known as Brown’s Point, was moving
cargo, supplies and agricultural goods
connecting island settlers and custom-
ers from the mainland.
Mainlanders began to arrive via new
passenger service out of Everett and
Seattle and vacationed in tents and
4