Crane Island (Washington) facts for kids
View from Deer Harbor, Crane Island is in the upper left
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Pacific Northwest |
| Coordinates | 48°35′50″N 122°59′54″W / 48.597117°N 122.998255°W |
| Archipelago | San Juan Islands |
| Area | 0.369 sq mi (0.96 km2) |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| State | Washington |
| County | San Juan County |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 20 (2000) |
Crane Island is a small, peaceful island in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, United States. It's located near Orcas Island and Shaw Island. This island is quite small, covering about 0.956 square kilometers (or 0.369 square miles). In the year 2000, about 20 people lived there permanently.
By 2010, many original residents had moved away. Younger, part-time residents took their place. Today, only a few people live on Crane Island full-time.
Contents
Island History: Crane Island's Past
Crane Island is the largest of a group of islands. These are known as the Wasp Islands. Charles Wilkes named them during his expedition. This was a big trip from 1838 to 1842. He named them after the Wasp, a famous ship. This ship was important in the War of 1812.
Early Settlers and Island Life
The first person to settle on Crane Island was Walter P. Cadwell. He arrived in 1879. His family were pioneers in the area. They lived near Pole Pass. This is a passage between Crane Island and Orcas Island.
Walter Cadwell grew fruits and vegetables on the island. In 1906, he sold the island. The new owner was John C. Hammond from Seattle. Over the years, people used Crane Island for different things. There was a lime quarry on the west side. People also raised pheasants and sheep. Logging, which is cutting down trees, happened until 1959.
Aviation Incident: Safety on the Airstrip
On February 7, 2022, a small plane had an incident. It was landing on the island's airstrip. The plane was from Bellingham, Washington. The pilot found there wasn't enough space to stop. This happened partly because the pilot didn't know the airstrip well.
Luckily, no one was hurt. The airline that owned the plane made new safety rules. They suggested not using that type of plane for Crane Island. They also added other safety tips.
Island Geography: Exploring Crane Island
The Wasp Islands, including Crane Island, are sometimes called "the rock pile." This is because there are many rocks near their shores. Most of the middle of Crane Island is a special place. It's called the Crane Island Nature Preserve. This area helps protect the island's natural beauty.
Island Infrastructure: How Crane Island Works
Most of the homes on Crane Island are built near the water. There is a small, private dock. It's on the east side of the island, close to Pole Pass. In 1960, a company started building and dividing the island.
The Washington State ferry travels near Crane Island. It passes through Wasp Passage. This ferry goes to and from Orcas Island and San Juan Island.
Crane Island does not have public services. This means no public water or electricity. The island has a private airstrip. Only people who live on the island can use it. The airstrip is about 1500 feet (457 meters) long. It's made of gravel and grass. Landing a plane there can be tricky. The wind often blows across the runway. It can also suddenly get calm when you fly below the treetops.
