CROCKETT BLOCKHOUSE CULTURES IN CONFLICT

The Crockett Blockhouse is one of four blockhouses remaining on the Reserve. Pioneers built the blockhouses in the 1850s for protection from Indians who were believed to be hostile. This blockhouse offers a reminder of the dramatic cultural changes that took place in the 19th century, as the balance of power shifted from American Indians to white settlers. The Crocketts were among Whidbey Island's pioneer families. They built two blockhouses for protection. The large barn east of the blockhouse was erected in more stable times. The barn-warming dance that celebrated its completion was the highlight of the local social season. Continue along Fort Casey Road to Patmore Road and turn right. As you drive up Patmore Road, the landscape will shift from open prairie to wooded upland. As on Ebey's Prairie, the higher ground surrounding the prairie was poor farm land, and the forest cover has grown back following the settlers' early attempts to farm the ridge. At the top of the hill you'll emerge onto Smith Prairie, another open prairie which encouraged farmers to grow a variety of crops. To the south is the Navy's Outlying Landing Field, where Navy pilots practice landings on a strip built to simulate the deck of an aircraft carrier. Turn left from Patmore Road onto Hwy. 20 and drive north towards Coupeville. On your right is the Kineth Farm, dating from the turn of the century. Note the farm cluster's water tower and other outbuildings. Proceed on SR 20 past Coupeville and turn right onto Sherman Road. On your right, at the intersection of Hwy. 20 and Sherman Road, you will pass a historic orchard. Before refrigeration made shipping and storage of fresh fruit routine, Whidbey Islanders grew their own fruit. In addition, commercial fruit dryers enabled local growers to ship food to Alaska. Continue north on Sherman Road and follow it to Madrona Way; turn left on Madrona. As you drive along Madrona Way you will see mussel rafts floating in Penn Cove. Mussels grow on lines hanging from the rafts and are harvested for shipment throughout the nation. Penn Cove shellfish are the basis of an important local industry. Madrona Way is named for the trees that line the bluff along Penn Cove. Central Whidbey Island's scenery became an important asset in the early 20th century, when recreation and tourism drew people to Penn Cove. In some places along the cove, Madrona trees, esteemed for the beauty of their twisted reddish branches and glossy green leaves, were planted to enhance the scenic quality of the shoreline. Many historic summer cottages remain around Penn Cove. On your left, you will pass Kennedy's Lagoon, a popular summer resort area. The picturesque character of the lagoon, surrounded by the beach cottages, reflects the recreational development that flourished in the early decades of the 20th century. Just past the lagoon is a large, saltbox-shaped building that housed Central Whidbey Island's original general store and Northwest Washington's first courthouse (1855). It served residents from the Canadian border to Everett. It was used as a Courthouse until 1880, when Coupeville became the County seat.