University of Washington Publications in Geology The Geology of the San Juan Islands

CULTURE

The majority of the smaller islands are void of human habitation.

On Orcas Island, which is relatively rugged and mountainous, the villages are located in areas of low relief. Like all other villages occurring in the map-area, they are confined to the margins or shores of the islands and are usually located on good harbors or bays. The villages occurring on Orcas Island are East Sound, West Sound, Deer Harbor, Orcas, Dolphin, Rosario, Olga, and Doe Bay. The largest of these is East Sound and its population probably does not exceed 200 inhabitants. These villages are all connected by good dirt roads.

On San Juan Island there are three villages, Friday Harbor, Argyle, and Roche Harbor. In addition to being the county seat, Friday Harbor is the largest town in San Juan County, with a population of about 500 inhabitants. An important fish-canning and vegetable-canning industry is located on the adjoining waterfront. The Puget Sound Biological Station is located at the outskirts of Friday Harbor. The village of Argyle is located to the south of Friday Harbor and almost adjoins it.

Roche Harbor includes a little settlement which has grown up around the lime-quarrying and lime-burning industry. Two other lime quarries are now operating on San Juan Island. One of these is located on the shores of Mosquito Pass, while the other is located on the west side of Mount Dallas Range.

San Juan Island is crossed by a network of dirt roads which connect all parts of the island with Friday Harbor.

The boundary treaty of 1846 between the British and American governments stated that the International boundary should follow the channel between Vancouver Island and the mainland as far north at the 49th parallel of latitude. As a result of the ambiguity arising from this definition, the islands now included in San Juan County were claimed by both governments. The British contended that Rosario Strait was the channel referred to in the treaty, while the American government regarded the Haro Strait as the main waterway.

Owing to the fact that the region was very sparsely settled, the dispute did not come to a head until the year 1859. During that year war was narrowly averted by a compromise whereby each government was allowed to maintain troops and fortifications on San Juan Island pending the decision of an arbitrator.

From 1860 to 1872 the disputed territory was held jointly by the troops of the two governments. The Americans were stationed in the sandy region to the northwest of Cattle Point, while the British block-house and gun emplacements were located on the eastern shore of Garrison Bay about opposite Guss Island. The remains of both the British and American fortifications are still preserved on San Juan Island.

On October 21st, 1872, William I of Germany as arbitrator gave the disputed territory to the United States.

Lopez Island has four small villages which amount to little more than boat-landings. These are Richardson, Otis, Lopez, and Port Stanley. The island is crossed by several dirt roads which connect the villages with each other.

On Stuart Island there is a boat-landing and post office at Prevost, which is located on the northwest side of Prevost Harbor.

A boat-landing and post office is located on Decatur Island at the northern extremity of the so-called Macedonian Crescent. This is known as Decatur post office. A small settlement is located on the narrow peninsula at the southern end of the Macedonian Crescent.

A saw-mill and post office are located at Thatcher Harbor on Blakeley Island. This is known as Thatcher post office.

A boat-landing on the east side of Blind Bay on Shaw Island is the location of Shaw Island past office. A net-work of dirt roads connect with different parts of Shaw Island.

The small village and post office of Waldron is located on Cowlitz Bay at the southwest side of Waldron Island.

The village of Carlyle is located at Village Point on Lummi Island. It is the seat of an important fish-canning industry. The northern half of Lummi Island is a well settled farming district.

Urban post office is located on Sinclair Island. It is supported by the good farming land which occurs on the greater part of the island.

Boat-landings occur on both Strawberry Bay and Secret Harbor on Cypress Island, but owing to the rugged nature of the island it is very scantily populated.

The boat-landing and settlement of Guemes are situated near the southwest end of Guemes Island along the shore of Guemes Channel. Dirt roads connect the different parts of the island with this boat-landing.

Anacortes, with a population of 5300, is located on Fidalgo Island on the south shore of Guemes Channel. It is the seat of important lumbering and fish-canning industries.