Raft Island facts for kids
Raft Island is a special place in Washington State, USA. It's a private island, which means most of the land and beaches are owned by the people who live there. It's also a "census-designated place" (CDP), which is a special area the government uses for counting people, even though it's not a city or town. Raft Island is located near a community called Rosedale, Washington, in Pierce County. The closest big town is Gig Harbor, Washington, but a smaller area called Artondale is even nearer. About 200 homes are built on the island, which covers about 160 acres of land. All the mail for these homes comes through the Gig Harbor post office.
Raft Island is a beautiful spot with many things for its residents. It has parks, roads, and several private beaches where people can relax. There's also a private tennis court and a private boat launch for those who enjoy water activities. A church camp is also located on the island. Because Raft Island is so pretty, many artists have been inspired by it. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge that is about 0.5 kilometers (or 0.31 miles) long.
Where is Raft Island?
Raft Island is found in a part of Puget Sound called Henderson Bay. Its exact location is at 47.328 degrees North and 122.667 degrees West. The size of the island can change a little bit depending on whether the tide is high or low. It can be anywhere from 160 to 201 acres. The island has an oval shape, like a stretched circle.
How Raft Island Got Its Name
The name "Raft Island" likely came from how the island looked, perhaps like a raft floating on the water. This idea comes from Edmond S. Meany, a historian. Before it was called Raft Island, it had another name. In 1841, an explorer named Charles Wilkes was leading the United States Exploring Expedition. He named the island "Allshouse Island." He probably named it after Joseph Allshouse, who was a member of his crew during the expedition.
See also
In Spanish: Raft Island (Washington) para niños
