San Juan Island has been a Coast Salish homeland since time immemorial. In 1853, settler colonialism began under the auspices of the Hudson's Bay Company, a British corporation whose quasi-governmental powers made it a major force in Pacific Northwest colonization. American settlers arrived in 1858, stoking a boundary conflict known as The Pig War, and leading to a 12 year joint occupation by American and British military forces. This rich history has included diverse people from around the globe. Our park is the place to learn about some of these people such as the Hawaiian shepherds who worked for the Hudson's Bay Company, the redcoated Royal Marines who fought on imperial battlefields in Asia prior to living in San Juan Island, and the African-Americans who sought freedom on Vancouver Island which they pledged to defend against American invaders. Check out these pages to learn about these people who made history on San Juan Island.
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Last updated: January 10, 2025