Friday Harbor, Washington

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Friday Harbor, Washington
A Washington State Ferry near the ferry dock
A Washington State Ferry near the ferry dock
Location of Friday Harbor, Washington
Location of Friday Harbor, Washington
Coordinates: 48°32′7″N 123°1′52″W / 48.53528, -123.03111
Country United States
State Washington
County San Juan
Incorporation February 10, 1909
Area
 - Total 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²)
 - Land 1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
 - Water 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Elevation 59 ft (18 m)
Population (2000)
 - Total 1,989
 - Density 1,467.7/sq mi (566.7/km²)
Time zone Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
 - Summer (DST) PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code 98250
Area code(s) 360
FIPS code 53-25615[1]
GNIS feature ID 1505051[2]
Website: http://www.fridayharbor.org

Friday Harbor is a town in San Juan County, Washington, United States. The population was 1,989 at the 2000 census. Located on San Juan Island, it is the major commercial center of the San Juan Islands archipelago. It is the county seat of San Juan County.[3]

Contents

[edit] History

San Juan County District Courthouse
San Juan County District Courthouse

In 1845 the Hudson's Bay Company laid claim to San Juan Island. In 1850 they built a salmon curing station. A few years later they started a sheep farm.[4]

The harbor got its name from Joseph Poalie (Poalima?) Friday, a Kanaka - a native Hawaiian man who worked at the Hudson's Bay Company's Cowlitz farm from 1841 to 1859-60. He moved north to San Juan Island and raised sheep around the harbor.[5]

After the peaceful settlement of the Pig War, the islands became a separate county in 1873. Friday Harbor was named the county seat of San Juan County.[6]

Friday Harbor was officially incorporated on February 10, 1909. It is the only incorporated town in the San Juan Islands.[7]

Sailing ships, and later, steamships (part of the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet) came in and out of the harbor on a regular basis, hauling passengers, mail and freight. They took the island's bounty: apples, pears, cherries, strawberries, peas, cream, eggs, chickens, grain, salmon, and lime.

The Great Depression, World War II, the pea weevil, and competition from Eastern Washington growers brought about the decline of traditional island industries. Friday Harbor's fortunes declined with them.

The 1960's brought new industries - tourism, retirement, real estate, construction - began to take hold. Today, Friday Harbor is again busy and prosperous.

[edit] Geography

Friday Harbor is located at 48°32′7″N, 123°1′52″W (48.535260, -123.031055).[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.7 km²), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (4.93%) is water.

[edit] Transportation

Cars at the entrance to the ferry dock at Friday Harbor.
Cars at the entrance to the ferry dock at Friday Harbor.

Friday Harbor's primary connection to the mainland is via Washington State Ferries, which sail between the town and Anacortes, Washington several times per day, and the Friday Harbor Airport, which has limited airline service. Friday Harbor is also served by float plane.[9]

On the island, there are taxis, shuttles, bicycles and mopeds for rent.

[edit] Education

Kids playing on Spring Street
Kids playing on Spring Street

The town of Friday Harbor houses world famous Marine Biology laboratory, Friday Harbor Laboratories affiliated to University of Washington. The town has seven schools, Friday Harbor High School, Friday Harbor Middle School and Friday Harbor Elementary School that are part of the San Juan Island School District, the Stillpoint School, (private), the Paidea school (private) and Spring Street School (private). Also on the island is a branch of Skagit Valley Community College. The school district also includes the small Stuart Island School that was established in 1897 and is one of Washington's "remote and necessary" schools.

[edit] Demographics

Friday Harbor has a diverse population - both young and old
Friday Harbor has a diverse population - both young and old

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,989 people, 896 households, and 468 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,467.7 people per square mile (564.7/km²). There were 1,053 housing units at an average density of 777.0/sq mi (298.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.01% White, 0.65% African American, 1.31% Native American, 1.41% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 2.61% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.23% of the population.

There were 896 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.7% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the town the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,139, and the median income for a family was $45,208. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $24,741 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,792. About 7.7% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Sister City

Friday Harbor has the following sister city, according to[10]

[edit] Gallery

[edit] See also

San Juan County, Washington

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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