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Vashon, Washington
Location in King County
Location in King County
Vashon, Washington is located in Washington (state)
Vashon, Washington
Vashon, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
Vashon, Washington is located in the United States
Vashon, Washington
Vashon, Washington
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Washington
County King
Area
 • Total 80.8 sq mi (209.3 km2)
 • Land 36.9 sq mi (95.6 km2)
 • Water 43.9 sq mi (113.6 km2)
Elevation
381 ft (116 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 10,624
 • Density 288/sq mi (111.1/km2)
Time zone UTC−8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes
98070 & 98013 (Burton)
Area code(s) 206
FIPS code 53-74305
GNIS feature ID 1512758

Vashon is a census-designated place (CDP) in King County, Washington, United States. It covers an island alternately called Vashon Island or Vashon–Maury Island, the largest island in Puget Sound south of Admiralty Inlet. The population was 10,624 at the 2010 census and the size is 36.9 square miles (95.6 km2).

The island is connected to West Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula to the north and Tacoma to the south via the Washington State Ferries system, as well as to Downtown Seattle via the King County Water Taxi. The island has resisted the construction of a fixed bridge to preserve its relative isolation and rural character. Vashon Island is also known for its annual strawberry festival, sheepdog trials, and agriculture.

History

There is evidence of human activity on Vashon Island dating back to the last 10,000–12,000 years. Some of the Native peoples known to have lived on Vashon Island were the Marpole from about 7,000 years ago, the Salish about 1,000 years ago and the S'Homamish starting about 500 years ago.

The island was named on May 28, 1792, by the explorer George Vancouver after his friend James Vashon of the Royal Navy. Starting in 1824, different explorer and settler groups stayed on Vashon Island. The first logging on the island began in 1852. By 1855–1856, the S'Homamish people were interned at Fox Island. European-Americans settled on Vashon Island between 1865 and 1890. During that time the main economies on the island were fishing and logging.

In 1890, Vashon Islanders started growing strawberries for sale. This became an important part of the Island economy during the next fifty years. In 1892, Vashon College opened in the Burton neighborhood on Vashon. During its operation, it was one of the leading colleges in the area. It later burned down in 1910.

At that time, Vashon Island was separate from the neighboring Maury Island, but today the hamlet of Portage sits on an isthmus built in 1916 by local homeowners that connects the two.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 37.0 square miles (96 square kilometres).

To the west Vashon Island is separated from the Kitsap Peninsula by the Colvos Passage. The Dalco Passage separates Vashon Island from Tacoma to the south.

Climate

This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Vashon has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1920 2,810
1930 2,798 −0.4%
1940 3,118 11.4%
1960 5,182
1970 6,516 25.7%
1980 7,377 13.2%
2000 10,123
2010 10,624 4.9%

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,123 people, 4,193 households, and 2,838 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 273.9 people per square mile (105.7/km2). There were 4,867 housing units at an average density of 131.7/sq mi (50.8/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.61% White, 0.45% Black or African American, 0.70% Native American, 1.56% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.87% from other races, and 2.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.56% of the population.

There were 4,193 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 34.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $58,261, and the median income for a family was $67,010. Males had a median income of $50,201 versus $36,426 for females. The per capita income for the island was $31,983. About 4.6% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under the age of 18 and 2.2% of those 65 and older.

Based on per capita income, Vashon ranks 32nd of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.

Infrastructure

Transportation

There are no bridges to Vashon Island, so all access to the island is by sea or by air. Most travel on and off the island is on the Washington State Ferry system. A bridge connecting Vashon to Seattle and Kitsap County was planned in 1959, but was ultimately not funded. A second bridge proposal from the Washington State Transportation Commission was withdrawn in 1992 after objections from island residents.

Vashon Municipal Airport is on the northern half of the island. There is no regularly scheduled air service to the airport.

King County Metro provides bus service down the length of the island daily. During peak commute times on weekdays, the buses drive on to the ferry to Seattle. On September 10, 2016, on-island Sunday service returned to Vashon. Route 118 provides islanders with Sunday service for the first time in many years, mirroring Saturday schedules and helping riders connect with both ferry terminals and other destinations in between.

Detailed map of Vashon Island, Washington

Ferries

The southern terminus of the Vashon Highway is the Tahlequah Ferry Terminal in the Tahlequah neighborhood, connected to the Point Defiance neighborhood of Tacoma by the Point Defiance–Tahlequah ferry. The northern terminus of the Vashon Highway is the Heights Dock at Point Vashon, serving the state ferry docks at Southworth, and Fauntleroy in West Seattle. Passenger-only service from Heights Dock to Colman Dock in Downtown Seattle is provided by the King County Ferry District, with three sailings in each direction during the morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday.

Places of note

  • The bike in the tree. A bicycle placed in the fork of a tree, allegedly when a child chained a bike to the tree decades ago and never picked it up, and the tree subsequently grew around it. This is a common local and tourist attraction, and has been subject to vandalism in recent years. The bike in the tree served as the inspiration for the Christmas book, Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkeley Breathed.
  • Sea Breeze Farm. Pioneers of sustainable farming.
  • Seattle Distilling Company. Microdistillery and Vashon's first legal distillery.
  • Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie. Located in the heart of what was formerly the island's town center, this coffee shop is located in a building almost 100 years old, and one of the earliest locations of Seattle's Best Coffee.
  • Point Robinson Lighthouse. Point Robinson beach on the east shore of Maury Island has been the site of a lighthouse since 1885. The current Point Robinson lighthouse has been fully automated since 1978.
  • Fisher Pond. A 90-acre terrestrial and freshwater conservancy. The largest on Vashon Island.
  • Jesus Barn Farm. A farmstead founded in 1893. During the 1960s it was turned into agrarian lifestyle commune. Local lore suggests this is when the iconic 'Jesus' was first painted on the side of the barn.
  • Andrew Will Winery. Established 1989.
  • Misty Isle Farms. 525 Acre farm that produces Misty Isle Angus Beef.
  • All-Merciful Saviour Monastery. A Russian Orthodox Monastery located on Maury Island. All-Merciful Saviour Monastery Website


Economy

The economy of Vashon Island is heavily based on residents commuting to Seattle and Tacoma.

Downtown Vashon, Washington 01
Uptown Vashon

Agriculture

While orchards and strawberry farms formerly played a major role in the Vashon economy, the pressures of suburban residential development have all but eliminated any major commercial agriculture on the island. However, many small farms operate on the island, providing locals with fresh organic produce, milk, and eggs.

Despite the changes, the island continues to observe the tradition of holding a Strawberry Festival every July. In certain areas like Dockton, a significant amount of private property was occupied and subsequently seized from Japanese-American citizens who farmed strawberries on that land until World War II, when they were moved to internment camps away from the island.

Local orchards and wineries are established on the island, with some focusing on developing perry, an alcoholic beverage derived from pear juice instead of grapes. There are at least three wineries that produce 100% locally produced wines and other alcoholic-based beverages.

Manufacturing and industry

Vashon has lost two of its major industrial employers: K2 Sports moved its manufacturing to China, and the Seattle's Best Coffee roastery operation was closed shortly after SBC was bought by Starbucks. Currently, the largest manufacturer on Vashon is Pacific Research Laboratories, locally referred to as "The Bone Factory".

Sports and recreation

The island is home to the Vashon Island Rowing Club and Burton Beach Rowing Club, both of which participate in many events such as the Opening Day celebrations on Seattle's Montlake Cut.

The Vashon Sheepdog Classic occurs each year at the Misty Isle Farms, with local food and merchandise vendors, with all profits going to area nonprofits. The trials are completed by a team composed of a dog and its handler who are released into a shedding ring and work to herd the sheep into specific areas. The island is also home to the Vashon Island Golf & Country Club.

Education

Public schools: There are three public schools provided by the Vashon Island School District#402:

  • Chautauqua Elementary School
  • McMurray Middle School
  • Vashon Island High School

Private schools: There are two private schools in Vashon.

  • The Harbor School (grades 4 to 8). 65 students were enrolled as of September 2013.
  • Carpe Diem Primary School (Kindergarten to 3rd grade). 26 students were enrolled as of September 2013.

Notable people

  • Matt Alber, musician
  • Ian Moore, American guitarist and singer-songwriter
  • Gene Amondson, Prohibition Party presidential candidate
  • Gene "Bean" Baxter, co-host of KROQ's Kevin and Bean radio morning show
  • Steve Berlin, of the Grammy Award-winning band Los Lobos
  • Alex Borstein, actress noted especially for her work on Fox's MADtv and as the voice of Family Guy's Lois Griffin
  • Berkeley Breathed, author of the political satire comic strip Bloom County, resided on Vashon for some time. He wrote a children's book based on a bicycle in a tree. The real-life tree, growing around a bicycle, can be seen on the island.
  • Michael Chabon, writer and 2001 Pulitzer winner. His novel Summerland (2002) is set on fictional Clam Island, WA, which Chabon has acknowledged having modeled on Vashon. Some of the stories in his collection Werewolves In Their Youth (1999) are also set on an island that strongly resembles Vashon.
  • Donald Cole, abstract expressionist painter
  • Karen Cushman, young adult fiction author
  • Pete Droge, musician
  • Booth Gardner, former Washington state governor
  • Mary Matsuda Gruenewald, memoirist
  • Rob Hotchkiss, founding member of Train
  • Eyvind Kang, modern composer
  • Michael Leavitt (artist), sculptor
  • Betty MacDonald, author who specialized in humorous autobiographical tales; lived on Vashon and used the island as the setting of her book Onions in the Stew
  • Zach Mann, reality TV star from MTV's The Real World
  • Robert Miskimon, author
  • Susan Nattrass, a former world champion shooter from Canada
  • Kaitlin Olson, actor best known for playing Deandra Reynolds in FX hit comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and playing Micky Molng in The Mick; lived here until the age of 8
  • Frank Peretti, Christian fiction writer, grew up on Vashon Island
  • Basil Poledouris, film composer, spent the last four years of his life on Vashon Island
  • Austin Post, aerial photographer and glaciologist
  • John Ratzenberger, who played Clifford C. Clavin, Jr. on the television show Cheers, and also played varying roles in many Pixar films, once lived on and still owns land on connected Maury Island. He also helped to start a school on the island.
  • Peter Rinearson, Pulitzer Prize winner and entrepreneur
  • Josh Tillman, singer-songwriter, drummer with the Fleet Foxes, also performs as Father John Misty
  • Aaron Turner, Hydra Head Records and SIGE Records owner, musician
  • Edith Derby Williams, historian, granddaughter of former President Theodore Roosevelt, lived on Vashon Island from 1949 until her death in 2008
  • Benjamin F. Wilson, recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Vashon (Washington) para niños

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