Whatcom Community Foundation in Sudden Valley
Did You Know?
In the early 1900s, Lake Whatcom was served by multiple ferries, with as many as seven operating at the same time. These ferries ran regular roundtrips between lakeside communities such as Silver Beach and Blue Canyon.
Before Sudden Valley was developed, the area was heavily logged. Some of the old logging roads and stumps can still be found along trails and open spaces, giving insight into the land’s industrial past.
From 1906 until about 1925, a “mail boat” operated on Lake Whatcom — delivering mail to residents living around the shoreline communities of the lake.
Sudden Valley was originally planned in the late 1960s as a recreational subdivision on Lake Whatcom, but beginning in the early 1970s it gradually evolved from vacation cabins into a full-time residential community. Today, it is home to roughly 6,000–7,000 residents, making it one of the largest homeowners’ association communities in Western Washington.
Lake Whatcom is the largest lake entirely within Whatcom County, stretching about 8.5 miles and covering roughly 5,500 acres.
30 YEARS
of community building
in Whatcom County
scholarships provided to Whatcom County highschoolers.
$86M:
invested in Whatcom County since 1996.
local organizations supported to help fulfill their missions.
10K+:
grants and loans made to support mission driven work.
Project Neighborly grants made to connect neighbors and build community.
$8.5M:
impact investment loans made in Whatcom County since 2015.
30 YEARS
of community building
in Whatcom County
scholarships provided to Whatcom County highschoolers.
$86M:
invested in Whatcom County since 1996.
local organizations supported to help fulfill their missions.
10K+:
grants and loans made to support mission driven work.
Project Neighborly grants made to connect neighbors and build community.
$8.5M:
impact investment loans made in Whatcom County since 2015.
