Blake Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blake Island Marine State Park |
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The island seen from the west
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 Blake Island Marine State Park
Location in Washington (state)
Blake Island Marine State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Kitsap County, Washington, United States |
| Nearest town | Manchester, Washington |
| Area | 1,127 acres (4.56 km2) |
| Elevation | 190 ft (58 m) |
| Designation | Washington state park |
| Established | 1959 |
| Administrator | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website | Blake Island State Park |
Map showing relation of Blake Island to Seattle, Washington
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| Location | Puget Sound, Washington |
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Blake Island (Lushootseed: tatču) is a beautiful island in Puget Sound, Washington, USA. It's a special place because the whole island is a park called Blake Island Marine State Park. The island is located near other islands like Vashon Island and Bainbridge Island. On one side of the island, you can find Tillicum Village. This is a fun place where you can learn about the art, culture, and food of the Northwest Coast Native American tribes. The park is looked after by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
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History of Blake Island
Blake Island has a long and interesting history. It was once a summer camping spot for the sx̌aq̓tabš, an ancient group of the Suquamish tribe.
Birthplace of Chief Seattle
Around 1786, a very important leader named Chief Seattle was born on this island. He was a leader of both the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes. The famous city of Seattle is named after him.
Early European Exploration
In 1792, a British explorer named George Vancouver explored Puget Sound. He recorded Blake Island on his maps, but he didn't give it a name. Later, in 1841, an American explorer named Lt. Charles Wilkes named the island. He named it after George S. Blake, an officer who worked for the United States Coast Survey. For a while, people also called it Smuggler's Island. This was because during a time called Prohibition, people used the island to hide alcohol they were illegally bringing in from Canada.
The Trimble Family and Camp Sealth
In the early 1900s, a wealthy man from Seattle named William Pitt Trimble bought Blake Island. He renamed it Trimble Island and built a magnificent home there for his family.
In 1920, the Trimble family invited the Camp Fire Girls from Seattle to have their first summer camp on the island. The girls named their camp Camp Sealth to honor Chief Seattle. They faced some challenges, like logs floating away and a small fire. Because the Trimble family had other plans for the island, Camp Sealth soon moved to Vashon Island, where it still is today.
The Trimble family left the island in 1929 after William Trimble's wife passed away. The house was left empty and slowly fell apart. Around 1948, the abandoned mansion burned down, leaving only its foundations.
Blake Island Becomes a State Park
In 1959, the entire Blake Island became a state park in Washington. This means it is protected for everyone to enjoy. In 1993, U.S. President Bill Clinton even hosted a big international meeting called APEC on Blake Island. Leaders from many countries came together there.
Fun Things to Do at Blake Island
Blake Island Marine State Park is a great place for outdoor adventures!
Getting to the Island
You can only reach Blake Island by taking a tour boat or using your own boat. The park's area includes the water around the island, so there are places to anchor your boat.
Exploring the Park
The park covers about 1,127 acres (456 ha) and has five miles of shoreline. From the island, you can see amazing views of the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline.
There are many fun activities you can do:
- Hiking and Biking: Explore the island's trails on foot or by bike.
- Water Activities: Go fishing or harvest shellfish.
- Sports: There are open fields for playing sports.
- Wildlife: Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including deer! Sometimes, deer even swim from the mainland to the island.
More Reading
- Kitsap County Historical Society, Kitsap County: A History, 2nd edition, 1981.
See also
In Spanish: Blake Island (Washington) para niños
