Location
Fort Ebey State Park is located six miles northwest of
Coupeville on Whidbey Island, Island County.
Acreage
645 acres with 8,000 feet of saltwater on Admiralty Inlet and
1,000 feet of freshwater frontage on Lake Pondilla.
Acquired
The park was acquired from the Federal Government in three
parcels; the first in 1965 and the last in 1991, for a total cost
of $3,666,568.
Historical Background
Fort Ebey was one of the more recent links in the coastal
defense system of Puget Sound. The fort was constructed in 1942
and named after the pioneer commander of the 1855 Militia
stationed on an island in Ebey Slough. A few years later, Colonel
Ebey was slain by the Northern Indians who sought revenge for the
death of their chief. The park is the site of a World War II gun
battery which had two six-inch guns at the time of the war. The
guns were removed after the war and cut up for scrap. In addition
to the gun battery, the fort had observation stations, storage
rooms, residences and other facilities to support the fort.
Facilities
The park was developed in 198081 and opened to the public in
February of 1981. Its facilities include a 53 site campground
with restroom and showers, beach access, 24 picnic sites,
concrete bunker structure, three miles of trail, automated U.S.
Coast Guard light/horn, 1 residence, 1 shop building, and 1 day
use restroom. Cascadia Marine Trail campsite.
Activities
Camping, picnicking, hiking, interpretation, beachcombing.
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