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HistoryBirch Bay was named by botanist Archibald Menzies for its abundance of black birch trees. Menzies was on the 1792 Vancouver expedition. Archeological evidence indicates that the bay was inhabited by Semiahmoo, Lummi and Nooksack tribes since prehistoric times. At the turn of the 20th century, the huge fir trees of the area were logged with oxen and horse teams. Large old-growth stumps, with spring-board marks, remain as evidence.
Captain Vancouver stopped in Birch Bay during 1792 to calibrate instruments used to map their location and to brew beer, a common staple on the long voyage.
Interpretive opportunitiesBirch Bay State Park has an active summer interpretive program, a 1/2 mile Terrell Marsh Interpretive Trail and four interpretive signs throughout the park.
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