Lynden, Washington

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Lynden, Washington
Nooksack: Sqwehálich
settlement_type = City
nickname = Gem City [ [http://theusgenweb.org/wa/whatcom/townhistories/lynden2.htm The "Gem City" of Twenty Years Ago] ] [ [http://www.lyndentribune.com/node/130 Lynden Tribune] ]
Queen of the Nooksack Valleycite book |last=Judson |first=Phoebe Goodell |authorlink=|title= |origyear=1925 |year=1984 |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |location=Lincoln, Nebraska |isbn=0-8032-2563-6 |pages=308|chapter=] [ [http://theusgenweb.org/wa/whatcom/newspapers/blainej1891.htm The Blaine Journal] ] [ [http://www.rootsweb.com/~wawhatco/townhistories/lynden.htm USGenWeb Project – Lynden: The Queen of the Nooksack Valley] ]
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Lynden, Washington


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Washington
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Whatcom

government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 10.6
area_land_km2 = 10.6
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 4.1
area_land_sq_mi = 4.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 9020
population_density_km2 = 852.8
population_density_sq_mi = 2208.8

timezone = Pacific (PST)
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = PDT
utc_offset_DST = -7
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 33
elevation_ft = 108
latd = 48 |latm = 56 |lats = 48 |latNS = N
longd = 122 |longm = 27 |longs = 25 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 98264
area_code = 360
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 53-40805GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1506392GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Lynden is a city in Whatcom County in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Washington. Lynden is approximately five miles south of the US-Canadian border. The Lynden-Aldergrove (Langley, BC) port of entry hours of operation are from 8am to midnight. The population was 9,020 at the 2000 census. Residents of Lynden are known as "Lyndenites".

History

Lynden was founded in 1871 by Holden and Phoebe Judson near the site of the Nooksack Indian village Squahalish (Nooksack: "Sqwehálich"). It was named by Phoebe Judson after the riverside town in "", a poem by Thomas Campbell, stating:

According to her book, "A Pioneer's Search for an Ideal Home", she changed the spelling of "Linden" to be more visually appealing. The town was officially incorporated on March 16, 1891.

The town lies in a broad valley along the winding path of the Nooksack River, which empties into nearby Bellingham Bay. The surrounding area is filled with dairy, raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry farms. The region saw significant Dutch immigration in the early and mid 1900s, spurring the growth of dairies. Today, Lynden pays homage to its Dutch heritage through locations such as Front street, which has been made-over with a Dutch theme, complete with its own windmill. Along that street, you'll find a Dutch bakery, Dutch restaurants and numerous antiques stores. Local supermarkets contain Dutch food sections, and Dutch is still spoken by some of the town's residents.

The town is noted for its manicured lawns, cheery gardens, Dutch architecture, and abundance of Reformed churches. A Dutch festival is held each spring complete with a parade, street sweeping, and "klompen" (wooden shoe) dances. In August, the Northwest Washington Fair lures thousands, and allows locals to display their agricultural products, art, and crafts.

In 2005, Lynden gained renown for its infamous Lynden Drug Tunnel, built by a band of Canadian drug-smugglers in the basement of a residence north of Lynden.

Lynden used to hold the world record for most churches per square mi. and per capita. Lynden is one of the few cities in the world whose main entrance is in between two cemeteries. Also, most stores in Lynden are closed on Sunday for religious reasons. The purchase of alcohol is also not permitted within the city limits on Sundays, nor is dancing in licensed establishments (liquor retailers) at any point during the week. Manifestations of this are obvious to the visitor - bars quit selling liquor of any kind at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, and the retractable chain link fence locked over the beer and wine in the grocery after last call or on Sundays.

Geography

Lynden is located at coor dms|48|56|48|N|122|27|25|W|city (48.946606, -122.456927).GR|1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.8 km²), of which, 4.1 square miles (10.6 km²) of it is land and 0.24% is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,020 people, 3,426 households, and 2,500 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,208.8 people per square mile (853.6/km²). There were 3,592 housing units at an average density of 879.6/sq mi (339.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.07% White, 0.27% African American, 0.45% Native American, 2.26% Asian, 2.51% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.73% of the population.

There were 3,426 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,767, and the median income for a family was $50,449. Males had a median income of $39,597 versus $23,292 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,639. About 4.1% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

ister City

Lynden has one sister city [http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/International/Washington%20Organizations/Sisters/] :

*flagicon|Canada Langley, British Columbia, Canada

Notable Lyndenites

*Tim Broersma, a barbershop quartet tenor
*Phoebe Judson, the founder of Lynden
*Harlan Kredit, [http://www.fieldandstreamextras.com/heroes/heroes.php?y=07&m=kredit fieldandstreamextras.com] ] an award-winning high school teacher
*Yelkanum Seclamatum, a Nooksack chief from the 1800s.
*Gordon Wright, an American historian

References

ee also

*Lynden Christian Schools

External links

* [http://www.lynden.org www.lynden.org]
* [http://www.lynden.net www.lynden.net]
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Lynden-Washington.html www.city-data.com/Lynden-Washington]
* [http://www.whatcomcounty.us/auditor/election_division/voting_history/abstracts/index.jsp Voting History Abstracts from Whatcom County Auditor's Office, files in .xls form]
* [http://www.lyndentribune.com www.lyndentribune.com]
* [http://www.lynden.wednet.edu Lynden School District]
* [http://www.lyndenfrc.org First Reformed Church in Lynden, WA]
* [http://www.sonlightchurch.com Sonlight Community Church]