Ferry Evergreen State approaching ferry terminal on Puget Sound, Washington Department of Transportation, Agency Library, Photograph Collections, Washington State Archives

Constructed in just 11 months and commissioned in 1954, the Evergreen State became the first custom-built vessel to join the Washington State Ferry fleet. Upon its debut on the Bainbridge-Seattle route, the 310ft long Evergreen State was the largest ferry on the West Coast.

By 1959, the Evergreen State’s 87-car capacity was already too small to fit traffic demands. During its career, the ferry sailed runs in the San Juan Islands, served as a substitute for other routes, and was even used for a few rescue missions. It sailed its last run through the San Juans on June 29, 2015 and was decommissioned after 62 years of service.

Since 2016, the decommissioned Evergreen State has changed hands through several private owners hoping to repurpose the vessel. Current efforts hope to see the Evergreen State converted to an emission-free, sustainable engine. Since 2022, the ferry has been moored in Bellingham, WA.

This photograph, along with 384 more images from the WSDOT photograph collection have recently been added to the Digital Archives. In time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Washington State Ferries this June, these images document the history of ferries’ construction, routes, terminals, aerial views, and pictures of individual vessels spanning 1966-1998.

To access the collection, search "Ferries" in the keyword search box on the Digital Archives home page and follow the link under photographs titled "Transportation Department, Agency Library, Photograph Collections, 1906-1993."