From Your Corner: Coupeville's name

September 16, 2009

Located along picturesque Penn Cove on the northern half of Whidbey Island, Coupeville is a small, charming town of about 1,900 people that draws many tourists and visitors who step foot on Washington’s largest island and one of the largest islands in the lower 48 states. Coupeville is a great place to watch the annual Whidbey Island Race Week sailing competition (pictured below) in July.

So how did the Island County seat acquire its name? Penn Cove was settled by Col. Isaac Ebey in 1850. Ebey also founded Ebey’s Landing, a once-thriving stop for Puget Sound commerce across Admiralty Inlet from Port Townsend. In 1852, retired sea captain Thomas Coupe homesteaded nearby. In 1857, Ebey was murdered during a raid by Haida Indians from British Columbia. During this time, Coupe had the county seat platted and named for him. More ideas for things to do in Coupeville and other info is available through the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce and the town of Coupeville. Information about Coupeville’s name was found in “Washington State Place Names,” authored by James W. Phillips. Photo courtesy of the Whidbey Examiner.
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