It’s been a great century….
Posted September 14, 2010 at 7:36 pm by Ian Byington
That's Nourdine and Albert in 1946....
If you had to name the oldest family-owned business on the island, you’d get it right if you said Jensen Shipyard – here’s more from Alisa:
Jensen Shipyard Invites You to Celebrate 100 Years
Albert Jensen & Sons, Inc. (aka Jensen Shipyard) has been in business at 1293 Turn Point Road, Friday Harbor since 1910. To celebrate their maritime business longevity they are hosting an Anniversary Party on Saturday, September 18, 2010 from 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to come enjoy fresh fish and barbeque beef while it lasts. There will be historical photos to see as well as a handful of Jensen built boats to visit. Additional parking is available across the street in the old gravel pit.
“To the best of our knowledge, we are the oldest family owned business operating at the same location, open for consecutive years of business, in the County,” says Jeri Lynn Ahrenius, the granddaughter of founder Albert Jensen. Prior to 1910, Albert, his father and his brothers built boats on Griffin Bay near the end of what is now known as Jensen Bay Road.
Since establishing the Shipyard in 1910, Albert and his son Nourdine Jensen built over 150 boats at the current location. The Wynsum was the last boat built in 1983 and is currently still moored at Jensen Shipyard docks. In the late 1980’s, Nourdine’s daughter Jeri and son-in-law, Mike Ahrenius moved to the island and began working for the family business.
Nourdine was often asked through the years when he was going to retire? His response was always, “Why would I want to do that?” He worked to the very end, passing away just after his 95th birthday in 2009. Today Nord’s granddaughter Alisa Schoultz is currently employed at the yard along with three other employees: Duane Davis, Richard Mathews and John Thomas.
For more information about the celebration on September 18th or if you have contact information for locally owned Jensen built boats, please call the shipyard at: 360-378-4343. www.jensenshipyard.com
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