A Farmers Market Mystery

Posted August 8, 2019 at 5:50 am by

Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum.

We don’t know very much about this photograph. Can you help? Its image file indicates it was taken in 1983. This photograph was labeled simply “Farmers Market next to the American Legion.”

Who knows the year when the market moved up to the Courthouse parking lot? We know its last summer there was in 2011 because it moved to its permanent year-round home at the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild’s Brickworks that September.

From humble beginnings with a few farmers, The San Juan Island Farmers Market was established in 1987 and has grown to include about 35 local vendors representing local farmers, crafters, musicians, and community organizations.

In a short time (historically speaking), a simple snapshot can become an important recollection of the past and a community’s history.

What are your memories of the “old farmers market” ? If you can fill in any of the details about this early photograph, won’t you please comment here or contact the San Juan Historical Society and Museum?

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Categories: History
4 comments:

4 comments...

  1. Would have to go back through the public records, but I believe the BOCC approved the use of the Courthouse parking lot for the Farmers Market in 1998 or 99. While it wasn’t maybe the best spot, it did have a nice view!

    Comment by Darcie Nielsen on August 8, 2019 at 11:56 am
  2. Thanks for this additional information, Darcie. Each detail builds a better snapshot of times past.

    Comment by Robin Jacobson on August 8, 2019 at 2:28 pm
  3. Leesa Waldron sold plant starts at the farmers market in front of the legion

    Comment by Jane Burton Bell on August 9, 2019 at 1:07 am
  4. Leesa and her beautiful flowers! Thank you, Jane.

    Comment by Robin Jacobson on August 9, 2019 at 11:54 am

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