fairhaven, like many other coastal washington cities, competed with other washington cities for the position of terminal city of the great northern railroad, but that title ultimately fell on seattle. during this period of competitiveness, which lasted from the late 1870s through mid-1880s, fairhaven adopted its iconic 19th century style and took on an aesthetic appeal to architecture and design. even after it was decided that seattle would house the great northern railroad terminal, population and aesthetically-minded construction continued to boom until the late 1890s. fairhaven was officially incorporated on may 13, 1890. on october 27, 1903, citizens of fairhaven and citizens of two neighboring cities on bellingham bay, whatcom city and sehome, voted to consolidate into one city named bellingham. on december 28, 1903 the new city of bellingham was officially established.