Lummi Island facts for kids
Lummi Island
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Puget Sound |
| Coordinates | 48°41′N 122°40′W / 48.683°N 122.667°W |
| Area | 23.97 km2 (9.25 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| Whatcom County, Washington | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 905 (2019) |
Lummi Island is a small island located in the southwest part of Whatcom County, Washington, in the United States. It sits between the mainland and San Juan County. The Lummi Indian Reservation is on a nearby peninsula, but Lummi Island itself is not part of the reservation.
The island covers about 23.97 square kilometers (9.25 square miles). In 2000, about 822 people lived there. During the summer, the population almost doubles as people from Canada and other parts of the U.S. come to their summer homes.
You can reach Lummi Island by taking a short ferry ride. The ferry, called the Whatcom Chief, can carry 20 cars and is run by Whatcom County. The trip from Gooseberry Point on the mainland to the island takes only about 6 minutes.
Kids on the island go to public schools managed by the Ferndale School District. There's one elementary school (for grades K-5) on the island called Beach Elementary School. Older students, in middle and high school, travel to schools on the mainland.
Contents
Island History: How Lummi Got Its Name
Lummi Island has a rich history with different names given to it over time. The native Lummi people originally called the island Sa nam a o, which means "High Mountain," and also Skallaham.
In 1792, Spanish explorers named it Isla de Pacheco. Later, British colonists called it McLoughlin Island. In 1853, the U.S. National Geodetic Survey officially charted the island as Lummi. They named it after the local Native American tribe. Both British Canadians and Americans later started using this name. Some people believe the name "Lummi" comes from a word in the Lummi language.
The United States government opened a post office on the island in 1882. At that time, the town and post office were called "Beach". Today, mail for the island is addressed to "Lummi Island, Washington." However, the Beach School and Beach Store Cafe still use the older "Beach" name.
Around 1919, a company called Nooksack Fish Packing Company had a cannery, which is a place where fish are preserved in cans, at Sunrise Cove on the island.
Lummi Island Quarry: From Mining to Nature Preserve
A rock quarry, which is a place where rocks are dug out of the ground, operated on Lummi Island for many years. Big operations started in 1964. By 1990, the quarry pit was about 3 acres large. The rights to mine there were sold to James and Kyle Bride.
Later, in 1997, the operation became Ace Rock, LLC. The land underneath the quarry was sold in 1999. In 2005, a company called Valley View Sand and Gravel, Inc. took over ownership of the land.
The Lummi Island Quarry continued to operate until 2013. Most of the rock dug from the quarry was shipped by barges to other cities like Bellingham and Seattle. By 2007, only a small amount, about 10%, of the rock was used on the island itself.
A group called the Lummi Island Heritage Trust, which is a land trust focused on protecting natural areas, wanted to buy the quarry land. Their goal was to restore the area and protect it for nature. In 2015, the trust successfully bought the 105 acres of land for $1.08 million. This purchase was supported by Whatcom County and other groups. Some of the land is still covered with forests, and it includes about 4,000 feet of shoreline.
By 2019, the land trust named this area the Aiston Preserve. It was named after the Aiston family, who had lived on the land in the 1940s.
Island Culture: Art, Nature, and Community
Lummi Island is famous for its special way of catching salmon using a method called reef net fishing. This method was developed by the native Lummi people. The island is also known for its many artists, beautiful ocean views, and peaceful rural areas.
The island's narrow, winding roads are very popular with people who enjoy bicycling. There's also a hiking trail to Lummi Mountain that goes through the Baker Preserve. From the top, hikers can enjoy amazing views of the San Juan and Gulf Islands. The Lummi Island Heritage Trust helps maintain this trail.
The island has several useful places for residents and visitors. These include a general store, two restaurants, several bed and breakfast places, a small library, a post office, a fire station, a church, and a camp run by the Salvation Army. There's also a historic elementary school that dates back to 1919. The old Lummi Island Congregational Church has a quiet cemetery surrounded by trees. The Beach Store Cafe is a popular spot for locals, offering a small bar and classic cafe food.
The Willows Inn, which first opened in 1910, became a well-known restaurant in 2010. In late 2022, the Inn closed its doors. Reports say it will be given to a local non-profit organization.
Island Events: Fun for Everyone
Lummi Island hosts several community events throughout the year.
- A weekly farmers' market is held in the spring and summer, where people can buy fresh local produce.
- There's a chili festival in mid-July.
- A Christmas party is held for the island's children.
Many artists live on Lummi Island. Some of them open their studios for tours on Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and the second weekend in November. This allows visitors to see their artwork and how it's made.
Island Climate: Mild and Pleasant
The climate on Lummi Island is generally mild. This means there aren't big differences between the highest and lowest temperatures. Winters are wet, and summers are dry.
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lummi Island has a marine west coast climate. This type of climate is often shown as "Cfb" on climate maps.
Island Transportation: The Ferry Connection
The Whatcom Chief is the main way to get to and from Lummi Island. This ferry carries both vehicles and passengers between Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point on the mainland. It is operated by the county government and can hold up to 100 passengers and 20 vehicles.
In the 1950s, Whatcom County suggested building a bridge to replace the ferry service. The state government also approved the idea of Washington State Ferries running a ferry between Lummi and Orcas islands once the bridge was finished. However, the bridge was never built.
Images for kids
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Aerial view of Lummi Island and vicinity from the east, with Eliza Island in foreground, Portage Island to the right near the Lummi Peninsula, Sinclair Island (Washington) to the left, and Orcas Island behind
See also
In Spanish: Isla Lummi para niños
