Ellisport Project Explores the Community’s History

Ellisport and KVI beach is a quite corner of Vashon that best is known for its sandy beach and quite saltwater marsh. But at one time the Chautauqua Assembly located at Ellisport was the largest resort in Central Puget Sound. Ellisport once had a sawmill, a store, a post office, a hotel, greenhouses, its own water system, the island’s first electric generating plant, and the island first radio station.

These interesting facts emerged when Ellisport neighbors Bruce Haulman, Ron Irvine, Carla Okigwe, and Toodie Blichfeldt started exploring Ellisport’s history.

Soon the news spread and more neighbors joined in the fun. A volunteer committee was formed and started planning for a special exhibit at the Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Museum in 2017.

As the group expanded more ideas developed. Now, the Ellisport group is considering recreating a series of Chautauqua cultural events, developing an art exhibit of Ellisport artists, and planning a self-guided walking tour similar to the Dockton Heritage Trail.

The project group is also seeking Ellisport photographs, documents, and reminiscences. If you have any to share, please let us know.  
The Ellisport Project will hold a community meeting October 6, 6:45 – 8:00 pm to introduce the project to the neighborhood and others who have connections to Ellisport. The meeting will be at the home of Linda Stemer, 20504 81st Avenue SW.  If you plan to attend please contact Carla Okigwe– 206-463-2855  cokigwe@comcast.net.