East Maple and Ellis Street

(Average Daily Trips in 1997: 13,800)

Surprisingly, not much has changed along these two streets, probably because they were only short curving sections of Highway 99. In 1935, the land use was primarily residential the only businesses being United Machine Works and Buzzard Henry Blacksmith (which lasted through 1975). By 1955 Bellingham’s Radio and TV station, KVOS, had established itself along Ellis Street. One can assume that these streets look similar to when Highway 99's heavy traffic was moving past them.

The photo taken in 1951 shows a busy intersection at the corner of Maple and Ellis. Signs directing traffic to Bellingham’s City Center and Vancouver B.C. (mis-spelled Vancouver B.C.) and labeling Highway 99 no longer adorn in the street.