The Daylight Building, located at 1201-1213 N. State St, is a historical building located in Bellingham, Washington, United States.
History It was designed by local architect Frank C. Burns and was completed in 1904. The exterior of the building was built out of sandstone and brick.
Some early tenants of the building included a dressmaker, a dry goods store, a lawyer, a real estate agent, and a music school."Dressmaking Parlor Moved," The Bellingham Herald, February 1, 1905, pg 3."Have Secured Larger Quarters," The Bellingham Herald, November 17, 1904, pg 4.The Bellingham Herald, January 4, 1905, pg 5.
From 1910 to 1926, the Union Printing company had its headquarters in the building."Offices Will be in Daylight Block," The Bellingham Herald, May 31, 1910, pg 1."Building Occupied," The Bellingham Herald, July 19, 1926, pg 4.
In early 1928, a Montgomery Ward branch opened in the building."Branch Will Open," The Bellingham Herald, December 13, 1927, pg 10. In July 1928, a large fire broke out on the basement of the building and damaged much of the stock of Montgomery Ward. Several apartments were also destroyed. The origins of the fire were undetermined."Daylight Building Will Be Repaired; Estimate $14,000," The Bellingham Herald, July 24, 1928, pg 12. The store reopened in September 1928 after repairs."Hundreds Visit Montgomery Ward & Co.'s Premises," The Bellingham Herald, September 15, 1928, pg 9. In December of the same year, an arsonist attempted to set fire to the building again."Store Guarded All Night By Police," The Bellingham Herald, December 14, 1928, pg 1.
On December 13, 1933, 34-year-old man named Herbert E. Myers was found fatally stabbed at the entrance of the building. He died of his would en route to the hospital. The suspect was described as a large man who was previously seen arguing with Myers near a telephone booth. The case eventually went cold and no one was charged with Myers' murder."Myers' Murder May Go Down In City History as "Perfect Slaying," The Bellingham Herald, November 27, 1934, pg 10."Police Obtain New Clues in Probe," The Bellingham Herald, December 15, 1933, pg 1.
In 1944, the building was sold to N. A. Buchinoff, then owner of the Bellingham Upholstering Company.Daylight Building Sale Announced," The Bellingham Herald, August 21, 1944, pg 5.
In June 1999, a thrift store named the Old Town Christian Ministries Thrift Store opened in the basement of the building."Thrift Store grand re-opening," The Bellingham Herald, January 22, 1999, pg 6. The thrift store later closed in May 2003.The Bellingham Herald, May 16, 2003, pg 34.
In 2003, the basement level of the building was remodeled and a restaurant and live music venue named Nightlight Lounge was later opened.Stasiek, Tony "Daylight adds Nightlight," The Bellingham Herald, October 12, 2003, pg 55. The venue frequently held live music events, such as Chris Whitley, Johnathan Richman, The Thermals, and Canadian band Cuff The Duke in 2004.Stasiek, Tony "Change'll do you good," The Bellingham Herald, October 14, 2004, pg 39.The Bellingham Herald, October 21, 2004, pg 36.The Bellingham Herald, October 24, 2004, pg 15.Stasiek, Tony "Eccentric Singer Johnathan Richman Plays the Nightlight," The Bellingham Herald, December 9, 2004, pg 31. The Nightlight Lounge closed permanently in 2010 due to failure to pay taxes.Fraley, Zoe "Wild Buffalo picks up shows from Nightlight," The Bellingham Herald, March 5, 2010, pg A2. In 2011, a nightclub named The Underground opened in the basement space."Nightclub Coming to Downtown Bellingham," The Bellingham Herald, September 18, 2011, pg C1. The Underground closed it doors permanently on August 25, 2024, and is slated to be rebranded as a venue named Bar 211 under the same owners.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 15, 2004.
In May 2011, significant damage was done to Pel Meni restaurant, located on the ground floor of the building. The fire caused the evacuation of several apartments and businesses. The estimated damage was over $20,000.Dills, Isabelle "Apartment residents escape safely," The Bellingham Herald, May 11, 2011, pg A1. Pel Meni later reopened and continues to operate.
References