“SAN JUAN COUNTY: (SAN JUAN, ORCAS, AND)
LOPEZ ISLES”
“THE COAST” – WILHELMS MAGAZINE 1903
VOL VI AUGUST 1903 NO 2 PAGES 91-101
Lopez Island has an area of forty square miles, exclusive of government reserves, and of all the islands of San Juan County presents the largest proportion of tillable soil. The valleys of this island embrace acre after acre of the most fertile land under the sun and charm and delight the eye with their beautiful fields and well-kept attractive orchards. The island is comparatively level and there are no waste lands of any consequence. Most excellent roads cover it from end to end and lead in all directions. The development of the island and its growth has been phenomenal. From north to south it is one grand valley, and were it all cleared up the view would be one of a large garden. The land in most instances is a rich loam, with clay subsoil, but many tracts are of the renowned alder bottom soil, and some are marsh lands which when cleared make the finest farms in the world for fertility and productiveness.
The people of Lopez are most hospitable and entertaining. It is a saying that no one on Lopez, be he stranger or friend, knocks in vain when seeking food or shelter, and of all the islands the residents of this island appear to be prosperous and well off. The finest and largest homes and residences in the county are found on Lopez. Religious and educational facilities are of the best here, and it is no vain boast of the residents that when the country is cleared up on this Island it will be the moist favored of the islands of this group. In addition to agriculture and fruit raising, the best fishing in the state for salmon is along this island's borders, of which especial mention will be made elsewhere. The water here is abundant, and because of the lack of limestone, is not tinctured with that quality. The island has the service of two boats daily and has every advantage to ship its products to the markets. The principal places are Lopez, Richardson and Port Stanley. Lopez is situated on the western shores of the northern part of the island. It is a lively trade center and has the accommodations of a wharf and warehouse, with steamboat service daily to the north, east and south. It is surrounded by a most excellent farming country, which is undergoing the process of being settled and cleared. Extensive and profitable fruit farms ship from this point to Seattle and Whatcom and some of the beet hay and grain ranches in the state lie to the south. Beautiful homes, well-kept orchards, fine horses and vehicles, bicycles, and other characteristic possessions tell the tale of prosperity here better than words.
Excellent roads, kept up in the best of repair, extend in all directions and make riding, driving and hauling to all parts of the Island a pleasure as well as a duty. James Nelson, the oldest settler on the Island, resides near this place, and came here in 1862. He still lives on the ranch where he settled. The same year Charles Brown located here. The first town which one approaches in going to San Juan County upon the steamer Lydia Thompson from Seattle is Richardson. The rugged and unpropitious shores which rise before the eye from the water's edge give little evidence of the fertile and productive acres of land which lay immediately inland, and which constitute an agricultural district than which the heart could desire no better in the world. Thus, the unfavorable conditions which upon arrival seem to fill the mind are swept away in admiration for the opportunities and scenes of progress which are seen upon all sides within the forbidding pale.
Richardson is situated at the southern extremity of Lopez Island upon Richardson Bay. The first settlement was made here thirty years ago by George Richardson, after whom the place was named. The post-office was established twelve years ago, William Graham being instrumental in its location. Six years ago the people of this place and vicinity desired to have a public hall and at once money was raised by popular subscription and a fine two-story structure 40x80 feet in size was built, in which the privilege was given to the church people to hold religious services. The first thresher on the island was brought here by Mr. J. K. Bartlett, who now resides a few miles north of this place. It was a sweepstake ten-horse power affair.
The leading industry at the town of Richardson is salmon fishing, which is conducted in Richardson Bay in front of the place. In the fishing season the entire bay is filled with all kinds of fishing craft and the shores are lined with tents and huts of the fishermen. There never was a year when fish were not plentiful and of the finest varieties. During the past summer over 300 men were here, engaged in this industry with from forty to fifty outfits: The fish running into Puget Sound through the Strait of Juan de Fuca strike this point first, and when fish are caught in no other locality they are caught here.
The islands have connection by boat through the "Lydia Thompson" with Seattle and Whatcom, and through the "Buckeye" with Whatcom and Anacortes. The trip is a continuous revelation of beauty and pleasure. No one should visit the State of Washington without making a trip through these parts. For those who would go a-summering, they afford a series of delightful nooks where the languid sleepy days can be pleasantly idled away in delectable rest and restoring solitude. The romantic isles!