Last updated: August 4, 2022
Place
Eliza Jakle
Irish immigrant Eliza Furlong and her husband James Bryant settled on San Juan Island during the Pig War. They started a family during the joint occupation at their Cattle Point area farm. Her husband drowned in Jakle's Lagoon during her second pregnancy and Eliza was unable to find help for him.
After his death, Eliza farmed her land on her own and raised her surviving son as a single mother. In 1869 married John Jakle, a soldier stationed at American Camp. Eliza and John Jakle had five children together John Jakle lacked Eliza’s work ethic and left her largely responsible for providing for their growing family.
Much of today’s American Camp unit, including the once thriving salmon fishery on today’s South Beach was once Eliza’s property. She rented her land to the major fishing companies who operated traps on the water just off of our park and sold water to these companies. Many of Eliza’s descendants participated in this once-thriving industry that she played a major role in creating. She also contracted with the federal government to provide land and services.
Today, many descendants of Eliza Jakle live in the San Juan Islands. Her story is emblematic of the female leaders of the homesteading period on our island. Her hard work, grit, creativity, and endurance allowed her family to thrive in a challenging and isolated environment. If you want to further explore her story, we encourage you to visit our American Camp Visitor Center where you can further explore her and other important but often overlooked San Juan Island historical figures.
After his death, Eliza farmed her land on her own and raised her surviving son as a single mother. In 1869 married John Jakle, a soldier stationed at American Camp. Eliza and John Jakle had five children together John Jakle lacked Eliza’s work ethic and left her largely responsible for providing for their growing family.
Much of today’s American Camp unit, including the once thriving salmon fishery on today’s South Beach was once Eliza’s property. She rented her land to the major fishing companies who operated traps on the water just off of our park and sold water to these companies. Many of Eliza’s descendants participated in this once-thriving industry that she played a major role in creating. She also contracted with the federal government to provide land and services.
Today, many descendants of Eliza Jakle live in the San Juan Islands. Her story is emblematic of the female leaders of the homesteading period on our island. Her hard work, grit, creativity, and endurance allowed her family to thrive in a challenging and isolated environment. If you want to further explore her story, we encourage you to visit our American Camp Visitor Center where you can further explore her and other important but often overlooked San Juan Island historical figures.