Heritage: Historic homes aren't haunted

Old lineal houses are so important to our community’s sense of self and the distinguished members that brought them to be. Two of them are on the market now. The Colonel Crockett Farm, which took land claim in 1851, and the Swift-Race Log House, 1852.

Captain James H. Swift and Colonel Walter Crockett were friends and very proud of their accomplishments. As with most of the early families, all shared a deep love for Whidbey, as we do today. Hattie Swift-Race helped restore the wonderful blockhouses that the Crockett family had built, these blockhouses are standing today.

I would like to quote Sall Hayton Keeva in Dec. 2000 after purchasing one of our family homes by the Coupeville City Park. Captain James H. Swift’s daughter, Maude Fullington, was the original owner. Hayton Keeva writes:

“Maude Fullington and her daughter, Mary Fullington, lived to be quite old within these walls they restored and cherished. The town’s roots cling to these venerable, sometimes shaky foundations,” Keeva adds. “I sometimes wonder, contemplating the pale ovals on the cedar walls where earlier paintings hung, if the Fullington’s would be glad about us living in their home?”

I am Cara Race, Captain Swift’s great-great granddaughter and I would like to answer Keeva’s question. The “object” of The Daughters of The Pioneers of Washington, of which we both are members, states clearly to encourage and promote historical research to pioneer days, etc. and to identify, protect, and preserve. My family met the Keevas with friendship and now finds it disturbing that they claim the Fullington house to be haunted.

Newcomers to Coupeville or anywhere historical on Whidbey need to appreciate the special spiritual treasures that they have the wonderful opportunity to purchase. The thought of our beloved family treasure being called haunted makes us very sad indeed. The answer to your question would be a resounding “No.”

God Bless Whidbey, Quonisum Tillicum, Fullington, Swift, Race, Families.

CARA RACE

Clinton

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