Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Boat House, Seaplane Base, Oak Harbor, Island County, WA

Significance: Built in 1942 and expanded in 1944, Building 19 at NASWI is significant on a national level for its association with the U.S. military effort during World War II. It is an important element of the Seaplane Base, which served a critical defense and training role to protect the Pacific coastline from enemy attack during the World War II. As a utilitarian boat house supporting seaplanes landing in Crescent Harbor during the war, Building 19 is further associated with overall seaplane operation in the Pacific. Building 19 differs from boathouses of late periods because it was constructed of large, high quality timbers likely from local old-growth forest. This quality timber was readily available in the Northwest at this time. The Seaplane Base at NASWI itself is significant as the only remaining WWII-era seaplane base in the Pacific region that has not been extensively altered. The base is further significant in the history of Whidbey Island because the development of the base substantially altered the course and pace of development on the island since World War II.
Survey number: HABS WA-214-A