Island County Washington
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 descendants 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.
