History of San Juan Islands in Timeline

The San Juan Islands are an archipelago located in the Pacific Northwest, nestled between Washington state and Vancouver Island, British Columbia. They are a part of Washington state and constitute the main portion of San Juan County.

1911: Sea Otters Receive Federal Protection

In 1911, the sea otter received federal protection, but Washington's sea otter had already been hunted to extinction. Although a small remnant population still existed in British Columbia, it soon died out.

1969: Sea Otters Re-Introduced

In the summer of 1969, fifty-nine sea otters were re-introduced to the Washington coast from Amchitka Island, Alaska.

1970: Sea Otters Re-Introduced

In the summer of 1970, fifty-nine sea otters were re-introduced to the Washington coast from Amchitka Island, Alaska.

October 1996: Sea Otter Observed Near Cattle Point

In October 1996, professional marine mammal biologists verified a single sea otter observed near Cattle Point, San Juan Island.

2009: Salish Sea Recognized by United States

In 2009, the United States recognized the bodies of water surrounding San Juan Islands, including Puget Sound and the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca, collectively as the Salish Sea.

2010: Salish Sea Recognized by Canada

In 2010, Canada recognized the bodies of water surrounding San Juan Islands, including Puget Sound and the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca, collectively as the Salish Sea.

2011: Beavers at Killebrew Lake

In spring 2011, a pair of beaver appeared at Killebrew Lake on Orcas Island, but were killed to avoid flooding a phone company switch box buried under Dolphin Bay Road.

2016: Population Estimates for Inhabited Islands

In 2016, population estimates for inhabited islands are provided, though some have major seasonal changes.

2016: Education Levels in San Juan County

In 2016, the resident population of San Juan County is well educated.

2020: Education Levels in San Juan County

In 2020, 51.7 percent of the resident population aged 25 and up have earned a bachelor’s degree or attained a higher level of formal education.

June 2024: Plane Crash on San Juan Islands

On June 7th, 2024, a T-34 plane, piloted by Bill Anders, a former astronaut and air force pilot, crashed on the San Juan Islands, resulting in Anders' death.