Davis Blockhouse

Davis Blockhouse (1857-1858) - A civilian blockhouse first established in 1857 during the Yakima Indian War (1855-1858) by settlers on Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington. Presumably named after James Davis, the owner of the donation claim where it was built. Abandoned as a fortification at the end of the war in 1858. Also known as Cook Blockhouse after later owners. Davis Blockhouse Exterior Davis Blockhouse Interior Davis Blockhouse History A two-story blockhouse was built on the southern border of the James Davis donation claim by the three Davis brothers (James Davis, John Davis, and Thomas Davis). The blockhouse was built in November-December 1857 during the Yakima Indian War (1855-1858) in response to the August 1857 murder of Isaac Ebey by hostile Indians. The land claim and blockhouse were purchased by Cyrus and Sarah Cook at auction in 1868. The blockhouse sometimes took the name Cook Blockhouse from these owners. Later members of the Cook family donated the blockhouse and the local Ladies of the Roundtable organization took up a project to restore it in 1922. The restoration was completed in 1930-31 and Island County took ownership of the property as a part of the adjacent Sunnyside Cemetery. Current Status Now a part of the Island County Sunnyside Cemetery Blockhouse Addition. Restored and open to the public (the date on the plaque is incorrect). Location: Sunnyside Cemetery, Whidbey Island, Island County, Washington. Maps & Images Lat: 48.206098 Long: -122.706666 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 206' GPS Locations: 48.206098, -122.706666 Davis Blockhouse Sources: Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 831. Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 183 Links: North American Forts - Fort Davis Blockhouse Sunnyside Cemetery - Davis Blockhouse History Fortification ID: WA0127 - Davis Blockhouse WA0120 - Cook Blockhouse Visited: 11 Aug 2022, 11 May 2014