San Juan Island

As early as 1845 the Hudson's Bay Company, based at British Fort Victoria, had posted a notice of possession on San Juan Island. In 1851 it established a salmon-curing station there and, two years later, a sheep ranch called Belle Vue Farm. About the same time, the Territorial Legislature of Oregon (which then included the present State of Washington) declared San Juan Island to be within its territorial limits, and in January 1853 incorporated it into Island County. By 1859 there were about 18 Americans on San Juan Island, settled on redemption claims which they expected the U.S. Government to recognize as valid. The British considered these claims illegal.

On June 15, 1859, a pig belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company was caught rooting in the garden of an American settler named Lyman Cutlar. Cutlar shot the pig, which sparked an international crisis. When British authorities threatened to arrest Cutlar, American citizens drew up a petition requesting U.S. military protection. Each side built up their military presence the island. When word of the crisis reached Washington, officials there were shocked that the simple action of an irate farmer had grown into an explosive international incident. President James Buchanan sent the commanding general of the U.S. Army to investigate and contain the affair. He was able to get both sides to agree to joint military occupation until the issue could be settled.

San Juan Island remained under joint military occupation for the next 12 years. In 1871, the San Juan question was referred to Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany for settlement. On October 21, 1872, his commission ruled in favor of the United States, establishing the boundary line through Haro Strait. The San Juan Islands became American possessions and the boundary between Canada and the United States was fully set.

Many of San Juan Island's roads trace to sheep runs cut by Hudson's Bay Company workers. They were led, in part, by Fort Victoria Chief Factor and colonial Gov. James Douglas, from 1853 to 1859. Many of the workers were Cowichan Indians from Vancouver Island.

• 🌍 Washington State Ferries, ☏ +1 206-464-6400, toll-free: +1 888 808-7977. Washington State Ferries offers many daily services from Anacortes to Friday Harbor, about five daily inter-island roundtrips from Lopez, Orcas, Shaw. Up to two (summer seasonal) ferries from Sidney, British Columbia. Check schedules ahead of time and arrive early especially during peak periods; lines can be long. They accept bicycles and canoes onboard and vehicle reservations . (updated Mar 2023)

	Note: The Sidney (BC)-Anacortes ferry service, serving Friday Harbor, has been suspended and will not resume until at least 2030.
	(Information last updated 01 Mar 2023)

	Note: The San Juan Clipper from Seattle, operated by Clipper Vacations, was suspended in 2022 in order to retrofit the vessel. It is expected to return eventually, but remains out of service at least through 2025.
	(Information last updated 12 Jun 2025)

• Kenmore Air, toll-free: +1-866-435-9524, reservations@KenmoreAir.com. Kenmore Air seaplanes make several flights daily from downtown Seattle's Lake Union to seven locations in the San Juan Islands including San Juan Island. Kenmore Air Express also offers daily land plane service between Seattle's Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI ^IATA) and Friday Harbor Airport (FRD  ^IATA). Complimentary shuttle transfers are available to/from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA ^IATA) for passengers on either Kenmore Air service. A quick and spectacular, though not cheap, way to arrive. $75-139. (updated Mar 2015)
• NW Seaplanes, toll-free: +1-800-690-0086. NW Seaplanes make flights from Renton (near Seattle) to the San Juan Islands with flexible schedules. 

• San Juan Transit, (office) Canary Landing at 10 Front St, ☏ +1 360 378-8887. San Juan Transit is a bus service that covers almost all of the points of interest on San Juan Island and drivers can stop almost anywhere along the route. There is about a departure every hour from Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor. Some buses meet the ferries and will wait if a ferry is coming in; however check the schedules ahead of time. Friendly island service and a great way to get around. $5. (updated Mar 2015)

• Friday Harbor Taxi, ☏ +1 360-298-4434. 8AM-6PM. Friday Harbor Taxi operates taxi services almost anywhere on the island with at least 4 hours notice 8AM-6PM. Outside these hours service may be spotty. (updated Mar 2015)

• Susie's Mopeds, 125 Nichols St, ☏ +1 360-378-5244, toll-free: +1-800-532-0087. Friendly island moped rental at Friday Harbor and at the foot of the runway in Roche Harbor. Rent mopeds, electric bikes, and compact SUV's for your island exploring. All reservations must be made by phone. (updated Mar 2015)