Island Farming: History And Landscape Of Agriculture In The San Juan Islands by Boyd C. Pratt A free-ranging pig that caused an international war; a year’s crop of ginseng that paid off the mortgage; and a breachy cow that led to bloody murder. Farming in the San Juan Islands has always presented challenges and opportunities.  Continue Reading

Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum… This image was labeled “Hotel de Haro Christmas 1924” when it came to the San Juan Historical Society and Museum. We know little else about it, save for what we can see here. It’s hard to miss that big tree, which we know was  Continue Reading

Mike Vouri – Hadrian’s Wall In July 2019 San Juan Islanders Mike Vouri and Jerry McElyea hiked the 84-mile path that traces the line of Hadrian’s wall, a massive fortification erected by the Roman Emperor Hadrian beginning in 122 AD. Vouri will discuss not only the purpose of the wall and the means and methods  Continue Reading

Time for the November history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum… This month’s story was inspired by the smallest of items in the November 26, 1909 issue of the San Juan Islander newspaper. It was just 33 words. “The largest turkey raised on the islands this season was on exhibition on Wednesday  Continue Reading

Coming up this Friday, Oct. 25, is an informative talk by local historian architect, Boyd Pratt.  The topic is the island’s past,  “What Was Here Before You Were?”  This talk will cover early to later use of island land and locations of past endeavors.  It will be quite interesting for old timers and newcomers alike.  Continue Reading

Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum… Local history sometimes includes tales of a decidedly unearthly – or at least spooky – nature. Perhaps the most well-known of this island’s spooky tales are about the Cry Baby House. Once a homestead landmark at False Bay, this house is pictured here in  Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… Recently my sister Betty unearthed a piece of applique needlework that I made in the 80s called “Grandma’s Garden”. It was my fanciful depiction of our grandmother Belle Mullis working in her garden. As kids growing up in the  Continue Reading

The Guard Family Celebrates 130 Years on San Juan Island Guard family members and friends, from the island and beyond, gathered on September 14 to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the family’s arrival on San Juan Island in 1889.  Paul and Elizabeth Guard’s descendants — from the 4th to the 8th generations — were represented. Thanks  Continue Reading

The Friday Harbor Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomes everyone to an afternoon with Dr. C. Wilfred Griggs presentation on Ancient Christian Studies This Seminar is for all interested in learning what the Bible is, and how it came to exist. We will also discuss how the idea of added  Continue Reading

It’s that time once again for this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum… It’s not often that a tiny slice of local history becomes part of an international story of considerable fame, but this is one of them. The Stuart Island portion begins on March 27, 1909 when the mail  Continue Reading

Back in 1981 in Friday Harbor, a group of high school grads joined up and formed a rock n roll band named Export. Members at different times included Dennis Michael, Rick Wiltse, Mike Ingalls, David (Rusty) Longley, Caitlin Suzanne, Greg Henion and Chris Lawson. And later this month at the Grange they are holding their  Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… It is August on San Juan Island. The roads are dusty and the traffic is wild. This time of year dodging mopeds and navigating around long lines of bicycling tourists can fray an islander’s nerves. If you are tempted  Continue Reading

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  Continue Reading

San Juan Island National Historical Park Presents Special Programs Commemorating 160th Anniversary of Boundary Crisis San Juan Island National Historical Park will be presenting a series of special programs from August 22 – 25, 2019 to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the 1859 Boundary Crisis known as the “Pig War.” The peaceful actions in response  Continue Reading

San Juan Island National Historical Park Presents 21st Annual Encampment Re-enactors from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada will once again celebrate peace as they gather for the 21st annual Encampment scheduled for July 26-28 on the English Camp parade ground. Encampment features recreations of mid-19th century soldier camp life, demonstrations of black powder firing,  Continue Reading

Ever wonder where the name “Missing Mountain Road” came from for the connector road that’s going to be built across the Lafarge Open Space between Turn Point and Pear Point Roads? I found this map on the National Recreation Trails website a while back. I was looking at something else (I don’t remember what exactly),  Continue Reading

Here’s the monthly History Column for July from San Juan Historical Society and Museum… In this Centennial year for the Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse, let’s fast forward from its opening in 1919 to October of 1935. This is when lighthouse keeper Arvel Settles arrived from his assignment in Westport, Washington to start the next phase  Continue Reading

The Scribner log cabin located on the grounds of the San Juan Historical Museum has recently had the roof replaced. A benevolent, anonymous donor provided the funds to cover the cost of the project. We thank them for their generous gift to the Historical Museum and for helping to preserve the 128-year-old structure. The cabin  Continue Reading

Does the name Lyman Cutlar ring a bell? It was 160 years ago today that Lyman Cutlar shot a pig, thus igniting an international dispute that nearly drew the United States and Great Britain into war. The previous year, gold was struck up on the Fraser River north of here and that drew thousands of  Continue Reading

Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum… We will be hearing a lot about our iconic lighthouse this month, with special events to celebrate its Centennial. It stands today, as in the past, a seaside witness to much island history. From shipwrecks and storms to film shoots, weddings and whales, this  Continue Reading

In the San Juan Update mailbag today, we have this very special note from Cheri Hancock… My father, Bert Chandler, is one of the last remaining American D-Day heroes. He was in the first wave of boats to hit Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. (Army, 1st Division AKA the “Big Red One”, 16th Regiment).  Continue Reading

Here’s an educational and recreational opportunity for high school aged youth and teachers… It’s the Youth Heritage Project (YHP) – an annual multi-day heritage field school that engages participants by connecting them to historic, cultural, and natural resources in Washington. YHP engages students hands-on as they expand their knowledge about historic preservation and develop an  Continue Reading