Description

When Friday Harbor, Washington, was incorporated in 1909, some wanted the townas name changed. In a misunderstanding, the British had named it in 1858 for a shepherd named aFriday, a who thought they were making introductions, not asking the name of the sheltered bay where he minded sheep. But the name stuck. As with many of the young stateas small port towns, timber, salmon fishing, and farming fueled Friday Harboras early economy. However, by midcentury, the lumber mill was gone, the introduction of irrigation in Central Washington swamped fresh produce markets, and the fish and pea canneries were shut down. Life slowed and some left, but in being passed byauntil tourism caught on in the late 1970sathe town (and island) developed a unique sense of community that survives to this day.