In 1921 my father Petar Bakulich arrived in Bellingham, Washington. I think he came to America through Canada. He was 19 years old and was born on the Island of Vis, Dalmacija, which at that time was part of Austria. I do not know a lot of his personal history at that time. However he lived with his sister Yela Muljat and Brother in-law Nicola Muljat; who were the parents of my first cousins, Frank and Vince Muljat.

I am writing this article to let the people of Bellingham know how this young immigrant from Dalmacija is a forgotten part of your City's history in the early 1900's. His first job in this country was during the development of your beautiful Fairhaven Park. He pulled tree stumps after the trees were cut down to clear the area that would be used for the park. He had a team of two mules attached to a wedge plow, and a with series of chains the set up was completed. He would give the command to the mules, and hopefully pull up the stump. If he was successful he would then go to the next stump.

Sometimes the stump was too big or to deep and when he gave the command, the mules moved forward and if the plow wedge got caught under the stump the wedge plow would catapult him over the stump and he would land between the mules. This was because my father had a firm grip on the handle and was not able to release his hold in time. This story was repeated time and again to my sister, my brother and I.

He would describe his displeasure in a language only another Dalmacijan could appreciate, and definately not for publication in this letter. Anyway, thanks in part to my Dad, Bellingham got its Fairhaven Park and my Dad had his first job in America. At best it was a tough job even in those days for a young man trying to find his way in America. I never visit Bellingham without passing through the park. I have a warm feeling about his contribution to the people of Bellingham.

After the tree stump-pulling job, he joined the salmon fishing fleet like so many other Dalmacijan immigrants. This was another tough job as described in early articles about the Pacific Northwest creation. To say that these men were only fisherman is does not do them justice. These men were pioneers of the industry, and innovators of supporting industries, canneries, boat-builders, net manufacturers, harbor-builders, and many other businesses down the coast from Canada to Mexico. Together they helped develop the largest fishing industry in the world. These pioneers of that legacy should never, ever be forgotten.