Our Community
Island
County, Washington consists of six islands in
the far northwest corner of the state. Whidbey Island and Camano
Island are inhabited, while the islands of Hope, Pass,
Deception and Baby remain uninhabited. Island County is
located along the Straits
of Juan de Fuca, which connect Puget
Sound to the Pacific Ocean.
Seven incorporated communities comprise Island County,
which showed a Census 2000 population of over 71,000. Whidbey
Island lies about thirty miles north of Seattle.
Almost forty-five miles long and ranging from one-half to ten
miles wide, it is considered the longest island in the nation.
The
Whidbey Island Naval Station takes up the north end of the
island, while rural farmland and state parks comprise the
south end. Near to the Olympic
Mountain Rainforest region, the only rainforest found in
the U.S, Whidbey Island's weather varies greatly. The southern
end is drier and more like Washington's
mainland. In the north, Pacific rhododendron and madrone trees
grow next to more exotic wildflowers such as Indian paintbrush
and camassia, making the island a remarkable mixture of plant
life and climate.
Island County's unique and endearing region can be reached
by Airport Shuttle from Sea-Tac
Airport, by the exciting area ferry services, and by
automobile, crossing bridges from Fidalgo
Island.
The designated county seat is Coupeville, one of the oldest
waterfront towns in Washington State. Home to the annual Arts
and Crafts Festival, they display local artisans' work and
offer fantastic food and even wine
tasting. Incorporated in 1910, this quaint small town of
less than 2,000 residents looks forward to the event, showing
off their wonderful historic downtown district as well as the
beauty of Island County. The directors of the 1989 movie, 'War
of the Roses', discovered this charming town and made it the
locale for their film. The Penn
Cove Water Festival held here honors the original
inhabitants of the area, the Native Americans, and many local
tribes come to participate in the canoe races on Puget Sound,
and exhibit their crafts.
The Whidbey
Island Kite Festival brightens up the skies just a few
miles south of Coupeville each year. Nearby, Ebey's
Landing National Historical Reserve keeps alive the memory
of the area's first explorer, Isaac Ebey, beheaded by Haida
Indians in 1857. This twenty-five mile wide State Park
contains many working farms and homesteads perfectly preserved
in their original conditions, offering a glimpse into Island
County's colorful past.
The bustling city of Oak
Harbor, at the north end of Whidbey Island, boomed into
life after the Naval-Air Station developed there. From its
first settlement in 1850 by Irish and Dutch immigrants, the
town grew from a sleepy country village to its 2000 Census
population of almost 20,000, making it a thriving waterfront
community today. The historic downtown retains the flavor of
Oak Harbor's past, while annual events like the Whidbey
Island Race Week, a colorful weeklong sailing regatta,
bring home its importance in modern Island County life. The Holland
Happening festival allows the Dutch descendents to display
their beautiful traditions and fill the town with tulips,
while the Irish community 'paints the town' green for St.
Patrick's Day. The Joseph
Whidbey State Park presents a beautiful stretch of
shoreline for beach combing and crabbing, along with miles of
hiking trails for bird watching and examining the exotic mix
of plant life that Island County contains.
Over twenty-five natural areas and stunning attractions
bring visitors to the region each year. With its temperate
climate, unique flora and fauna, Island County, Washington
remains a true Paradise for any sea loving soul.
<<Back
to Our Community
|
