Prior to 1850, several Euro-American settlements existed along the Puget Sound coast to support sailing ships and explorers. Then, the Donation Land Claim Law of 1850 provided incentive to Midwestern farmers to strike out for the Pacific Northwest and homestead, proving up after four years of residency and cultivation of the soil. The predominant approach to Whidbey Island was to sail up from San Francisco or Portland through the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Port Townsend. From there, a short boat trip brought new settlers to a natural landing beach on the west of central Whidbey where s ravine led up between the sandy bluffs to the prairie. The Skagit Indians had long used this route to reach fields where they cultivated bracken ferns and cama roots as well as hunted deer.

In 1917, Ellison Ebey's son sold the Ferry House to Frank and Lena Pratt, who converted it into a private residence.

The first land claimant, Isaac N. Ebey, staked out his farm at the head of the ravine and built a cluster of cabins for his family on the bluff. The beach became known as Ebey’s Landing and the Ebey homestead became a welcome center for newcomers.
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