WSDOT puts off deadline as options for moving iconic Bellingham boulder develop
The fate of the iconic graffiti rock south of Bellingham remains in limbo as officials consider possible options for relocating the massive boulder, which has been painted as a community message board for more than 50 years.
Washington State Department of Transportation officials said the rock must move because it is in the way of a construction project. Its current location is along northbound Interstate 5 near the Samish Way exit 246.
WSDOT spokeswoman RB McKeon told The Herald that a meeting is planned in early July to discuss the next steps.
“As you know, WSDOT previously announced a June 1 deadline whereby we needed to know if any of private property owners who expressed interest in obtaining the Bellingham Rock are willing to go through the process of acquiring an easement so that it can retain its current feature as a publicly accessible community billboard,” McKeon said in an email. “We have learned that there are two private parties who are willing to move forward with this process, and we are giving that some time to play out as they connect with Whatcom County (and the) city of Bellingham on next steps.”
Meanwhile, efforts are continuing behind the scenes on at least one of two possible new sites for the rock, according to Keith Cook of Bellingham, who manages the Bellingham Rock page on Facebook.
“Don’t throw in the towel yet. We’ve got active participation on Bill McDonald Parkway,” Cook said in a phone call.
Frank Youngblood, who owns an apartment complex on Bill MacDonald Parkway, is working with city of Bellingham and WSDOT officials to satisfy the conditions set for moving the rock, including an easement for public access, logistics of the move, and environmental considerations because the rock is covered in paint.
Kurt Nabbefeld, manager of Planning Development Services told The Herald that “city staff have been actively involved in conversations” about how to preserve the rock.
“While we are unable to commit to installing the rock on city property, we have been helping facilitate discussions with WSDOT and private property owners who are interested in having the rock on their properties. This has been complicated by the potential need for an easement guaranteeing public access to the rock, but discussions are continuing. I think we all understand the historical and personal significance the rock has for many in the community,” Nabbefeld said in an email.
Another site has been proposed, on the grounds of Northstar Stone and Landscape Supply near Interstate 5 and Slater Road, owner Jeff Hoffman said.
“It probably really needs to hang out on Interstate 5,” Hoffman told The Herald in a phone call. “We’re a stoneyard. It needs to hang out with its relatives. The I-5 rock needs to stay the I-5 rock.”
McKeon said several options are being considered but in any case, the rock must move.
“Our hope remains that we find a viable home for the rock, but in the event that one is not found, we need to have a plan ready to implement that includes abating and removing the rock from its current location so that construction of the Friday, Lake and Chuckanut creeks fish passage project can move forward as planned,” McKeon said. “This effort will include preserving the history of the rock, possibly offering portions of the rock to local museums (that have not been able to take the rock in its original form) or perhaps breaking the rock into small chunks and offering it to the community similar to what has been done with structures like the Kingdome.”
This story was originally published June 21, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
