Orcas Island Shows Its Heritage

labelWashington Rural Heritage is pleased to announce our fourth San Juan Island collection: Orcas Island Heritage. The Orcas Island Historical Museum, in partnership with the Orcas Island Public Library, has digitized dozens of photographs, maps and books depicting the lives and livelihood of early settlers as they carved homes into this hilly and verdant island. Successful farming, fishing and logging led to the even more successful industry of tourism as Orcas became a premier summer destination for Washingtonians.

Various docking points around the island grew into villages and towns, complete with post offices, general stores and even schools. Each village has its own story to tell, and for the first time, we've enabled users to browse items by community.

Olga, perched on the southern tip of eastern Orcas, is one of these charming communities. One of its residents published a book of local family's recipes and memories, including landing a 33 1/2 lb. blackmouth, dancing with the C.C.C. boys back in the '30s, and bloomers hoisted to the top of a flagpole that were mistaken for a distress signal. When Lucille Willis wed in 1937, she lived in a beach-front cabin with few amenities.

She recalls that using an outhouse was the hardest adjustment for her. "One night when Culver had to be away, I went across the yard to the outhouse. I had no sooner got there than I heard the most alarming whooshing sounds. I hurried back to the house and waited for Culver to return home. When I told him my story, he laughed and told me not to worry; it was just a pod of whales making their way across the bay."

We also invite you to explore items on our customized map. You can see just where that mysterious rock formation of an anchor is situated; envisage the first Ford that topped Mt. Constitution in Moran State Park; and see a steamer pulling into dock at Doe Bay - in 1910.


(html)

Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs

이미지
Image of Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

Connect with Us

Search Our Corner

About this Blog

The Washington Office of the Secretary of State’s blog provides from-the-source information about important state news and public services.

This space acts as a bridge between the public and Secretary Steve Hobbs and his staff, and we invite you to contribute often to the conversation here.

Comments Disclaimer

The comments and opinions expressed by users of this blog are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the Secretary of State’s Office or its employees. The agency screens all comments in accordance with the Secretary of State’s blog use policy, and only those that comply with that policy will be approved and posted. Outside comments will not be edited by the agency.