Then and Now: Lopez Island

Then and Now: Lopez Island

I recently had the opportunity to visit Lopez Island in San Juan County. If you have the chance, do stop by the Lopez Island Historical Museum in Lopez Village. You can learn all about the story of the Lopezians (including how to pronounce that word…”low-PEE-shuns”) and see pictures from the island’s past – including this one of their first ferry terminal. One word of advice, however. Despite an eternity as

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Lime Kiln Point State Park’s iconic lighthouse

Lime Kiln Point State Park’s iconic lighthouse

I’ve always thought that was a strange name for a state park. After all, not too many people may even know what a lime kiln is, let alone how they played a role in developing Washington’s history. As it turns out, the lime kilns on San Juan Island are significant for a number of reasons (which I’ve detailed in another blog post), but the site of the island’s lighthouse within

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Of Pork and Politics: Washington in the Pig War

Of Pork and Politics: Washington in the Pig War

We’re all familiar with the historic events that led to the American Revolution, when the American Colonies seceded from rule by Great Britain. Somewhat less well known are the reasons behind the second war between England and the U.S…the War of 1812. But it’s unlikely you can find very many people who can tell you about the third war between these two superpowers, which took place – or, more accurately,

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Of Pork and Politics: Washington in the Pig War

Of Pork and Politics: Washington in the Pig War

We’re all familiar with the historic events that led to the American Revolution, when the American Colonies seceded from rule by Great Britain. Somewhat less well known are the reasons behind the second war between England and the U.S…the War of 1812. But it’s unlikely you can find very many people who can tell you about the third war between these two superpowers, which took place – or, more accurately,

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History lives on Orcas Island

History lives on Orcas Island

There are very few places in Washington where you can hike through the woods, trip over a 200-year-old cannonball and land amongst an assortment of arrowheads and prehistoric bison fossils. In fact, there’s likely only one place where that amazing scenario could potentially play out, and that is on Orcas Island in the San Juans. As the largest island in San Juan County, Orcas is surprisingly not named after the

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