Nelson Block, Bellingham

The Nelson Block holds a significant place in the city's architectural and commercial history. Originally initiated in 1891 by Malcolm McKechnie, construction was halted due to the decline in Fairhaven's economic boom. A decade later, James Purdy Nelson acquired the property from McKechnie and enlisted architect William Cox to design a two-story structure in the High Victorian Italianate style, incorporating elements of the Richardsonian Romanesque tradition.

The building's first-floor corner, featuring a grand round-arched portal, was designated for the Citizen’s National Bank, which opened under the management of Henry, Andrews & Company. Additionally, the Nelson Block housed two other commercial establishments: Ira Shey’s clothing store at 1102 Harris and the General Saloon at 1305 11th Street. The full basement accommodated various businesses over the years, including the Sharpless Barber Shop and Baths, the Sharpless & O’Dell Billiard Parlor, and later, the Evening Herald and the Fairhaven post office.