San Juan Island facts for kids
Location of San Juan Island in the San Juans
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 San Juan Island
Location in Washington (state)
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Pacific Northwest |
| Coordinates | 48°32′N 123°05′W / 48.533°N 123.083°W |
| Archipelago | San Juan Islands |
| Area | 55.053 sq mi (142.59 km2) |
| Highest elevation | 1,080 ft (329 m) |
| Highest point | Mount Dallas |
| Administration | |
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United States
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| State | Washington |
| County | San Juan County |
| Largest settlement | Friday Harbor (pop. 2,162) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 6,894 (2010) |
| Pop. density | 47.84 /km2 (123.91 /sq mi) |
San Juan Island is a beautiful island located in northwestern Washington, United States. It is the second-largest island in the San Juan Islands group. About 8,600 people lived here in 2020.
The main town on San Juan Island is Friday Harbor. It is the biggest town in the San Juan Islands. Friday Harbor is also the main port for Washington State Ferries, which connect the island to the mainland.
Contents
Island History
The name "San Juan" comes from a Spanish explorer named Francisco de Eliza. In 1791, he named the islands after his sponsor. One of his officers, Gonzalo López de Haro, was the first European to find San Juan Island.
Later, an American explorer named Charles Wilkes called it "Rodgers Island." But the Spanish name stuck on British maps and eventually became the official name.
Early Life on the Island
Native American people used the island seasonally for salmon fishing. They would come to the island especially during fishing season.
The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) from Britain set up the first permanent European settlement. This happened on December 13, 1853. They started a sheep farm called Belle Vue Sheep Farm. This farm was meant to show that Britain owned the San Juan Islands.
The Pig War
Both Britain and the United States claimed San Juan Island. American soldiers were sent to the island because of this disagreement. They also wanted to protect settlers from Native American raids.
The argument got worse in 1859. An American settler shot an HBC pig, which started the Pig War. Luckily, no one was hurt in this "war." By November 1859, both sides agreed to share control of the island. They decided to solve the problem through talks.
In 1861, the HBC closed its sheep farm. This was because Americans bothered their sheep. Also, the British government did not support the farm enough. The dispute over the island was finally settled in 1872. The United States gained control of the island.
Smallpox Epidemic
In 1862, a terrible disease called smallpox spread through the area. It killed many Native American people. A place on the west side of San Juan Island is called Smallpox Bay. It was named for the people who died from this disease.
Life on San Juan Island
San Juan Island is known for its quiet, rural lifestyle. It's a peaceful place with few big city distractions. Many people visit for tourism. Some famous people, like retired wrestler Lisa "Ivory" Moretti, live here. Other celebrities visit for a quiet escape.
Historical Places to Visit
You can visit two important historical sites on the island. These are the old English Camp and American Camp. They are part of the San Juan Island National Historical Park. This park remembers the 1859 Pig War. You can see visitor centers and rebuilt old buildings. There are also gardens that show what early European settlements were like.
Getting Around and Services
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The island has a hospital called Peace Health Peace Island Medical Center.
You can get to San Juan Island by boat, Washington State Ferries, seaplane, or regular plane. Seaplanes are serviced by companies like Northwest Seaplanes and Kenmore Air. The Friday Harbor Airport is close to the ferry landing. Besides Friday Harbor, the only other main resort area is Roche Harbor. It is located on the northwest side of the island.
Island News
San Juan Island has several weekly newspapers. There are also two daily news websites. These are the San Juan Islander and the Island Guardian.
Tourism and Attractions
Tourism is a big part of the island's economy. The island has many farms. There are also two large marinas, one in Friday Harbor and one in Roche Harbor. Big ships and yachts often visit these marinas.
Fun places to visit include:
- The Whale Museum
- A modern Art Museum building
- The San Juan Community Theatre
- The Sculpture Park near Roche Harbor
- The San Juan Historical Museum
- Lime Kiln Point State Park, where you can watch orca pods swim by.
Schools and Learning
The public schools on San Juan Island are run by the San Juan Island School District #149. They have several schools:
- Friday Harbor Elementary School
- Friday Harbor Middle School
- Friday Harbor High School
- Griffin Bay Schools (which offers different learning options)
- Stuart Island School (for younger students)
There are also two private schools on the island.
The University of Washington has a marine research lab here. It's called Friday Harbor Laboratories. This campus has been around since 1909. It has dorms, food service, and classrooms for students.
Island Ecology
The waters around San Juan Island are home to many sea creatures. These include red sea urchins and pinto abalone. People are not allowed to fish for abalone for fun since 1994. The pinto abalone was listed as a "Species of Concern" in 2004. This means they need special protection.
In 2015, San Juan Island became a protected area. Former President Barack Obama included it in the San Juan Islands National Monument. This monument protects about 75 other sites in the Salish Sea.
Parks and Fun Activities
Lime Kiln Park is named after an old lime kiln that used to be there. It is also home to the historic Lime Kiln Light. You can go camping in different spots around the island.
There are small, family-run farms that raise shellfish. One is Westcott Bay Shellfish Co. Here, you can buy oysters, clams, and mussels. You can also see how shellfish are farmed. You can also go on whale watching tours from Friday Harbor. At night, you can even take tours to see bioluminescence. This is when tiny sea creatures glow in the dark!
Notable People
- Guthrie Burnett-Tison, a performing artist.
- Singer Jake Shears spent part of his childhood on the island.
See also
In Spanish: Isla San Juan para niños
