Deception Pass Bridge Connecting Whidbey Island with Fidalgo Island

You are looking at a vintage postcard of one of my favorite places in the state of Washington. Deception Pass Bridge.

Deception Pass Bridge is one of Washington's iconic images.

Deception Pass State Park is Washington's most popular park. And maybe the biggest.

It appears this picture was taken soon after Deception Pass Bridge was built. It looks like the road at either end of the bridge is not paved. I have no idea when roads were paved in Washington. I would think that by 1935 most highways in Washington were paved. Maybe this photo was taken during the construction process.

Deception Pass Bridge is actually 2 spans, one over Canoe Pass on the north end, the other over Deception Pass on the south end.

Construction on Deception Pass Bridge began in August of 1934, completed on July 31, 1935. Constructing the bridge was a Great Depression CCC project.

In 1982 Deception Pass Bridge was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

If you are ever so lucky as to be at Deception Pass when there is a large tide differential, you will see a spectacular act of Mother Nature as the tide rushes through the narrow pass.

Deception Pass came by its name when Captain Vancouver's chief navigator, Joseph Whidbey, sailed through the narrow channel and proved it was not a small bay, as claimed by Spanish explorers. Hence the deception. Whidbey discovered that the pass was actually a deep, turbulent channel which connected the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Saratoga Passage, and, what was thought to be a pennisula was actually what we now know as Fidalgo Island and Whidbey Island.

Before Deception Pass Bridge connected Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island, a ferry connected the 2 islands. This ferry catered to travelers traveling via the horse and buggy mode. Years ago, on a long hike on the north side of Deception Pass (very scary trail) eventually I came to what I believe was the remains of the old ferry dock.

In the picture, at the top, that high point you see on the right side of the bridge, that is Goose Rock. I have likely hiked Goose Rock more than any other location on the planet. If you visit Deception Pass State Park, the Goose Rock Perimeter Trail is not to be missed. And, if you are in good shape, the hike to the top of Goose Rock is well worth the effort.