, 1880-04-22
PUGET SOUND ARGUS.
Island County.


~ Inlet. The county was established py
the Oregon legislature, january 9. lS6J'
and is consequently among the Oldest
counties In the territory. WILDLY Island
the larger of the Two, is estimated TO con-
tain ll5, 900 acres of land. Camano ISL
and contains about 10000 acres-makinS
a total Of $50 square miles. The county
has a population of about 600, and its tax
able property was returned last year at
$372.s2l.
These Islands are composed almost ell
tirely OF high land, answering to the gen
eral description OF the up-ands in the
other counties described. Nearly the
whole surface of the Islands is covered
with dense growth OF timber princi-
q pally red fir; hemlock, spruce, white fr'
cedar, alder, willow and maple are found
in small quantities. A few natural prai-
Iies are found on wildly Island. These
are fertile, and have been cultivated for
years. A majority Of the Inhabitants loI-
low the occupation of farming; the IT.
mainder are engaged in numbering and
manufacturing pursuits.
covELAND,
q small village at the head Of Penn's
Cove, on the eastern side Of Whhby Isl
and, Is the county seat. A small Touring
mill, propelled by tile-water. was erected
here about two years ago. and turns out
good -four. A number OF fine farms arc
located In the vicinity Of the place, aud
no vacant land worth speaking OF, suita-
BILE for agricultural purposes, can be found
near.
UTsALADY. tRE#Ef
located near the northern end OF Camano
Island, is a small lumbering town built
up by the trade resulting from a large
steam saw mill in operation there. This
mill has fine location, and Is valuable
property. A la;ge wharf and warehouse
rected near the nlill, that Is
used for shipping point for produce.
Being nearly opposite the Lii Conner flats,
1t receives nearly all the grain shipped.
from that yicinity, to San Francisco--the
San Francisco steamships calling When
ever desired.
CoUPEVILLE,
Is small town on the southwestern shore
OF Penn's Cove. 1t is the shipping point
for large amour: of the produce raised
OIL the island, aud was tor vears the county
Seat. The island is nearly cut IN two al
this point up the cove, leaving a narrow
neck of land about two miles across. On
the side next to Port Townsend is
EBEY's LANDING.
A daily ferry boat runs from Port Town
send to this point, connecting with stage
that runs to Coupeville. A comfortable
passenger steamer makes semi-weekly
trips from Seattle to La Conner on the
east side Of WILDLY Island. aud calls At
Utsalady, Coupeville and
OAK HAREoR.
Here also is store, post office, etc. II
IL the outlet for farming settlement.
Crescent Harbor, shoit distance north
from Oak Harbor, is large, crescent
shaped bay, skirted with some good land
and q few fine farns; further OH still is
Dugualla Bay. surrounded with marsh
and bottom land. 4 norsh end of
WILDLY Island is separated from Fitlalgo
Island by narrow body OF water called
Dcception Pass. WILDLY island is nearly
sixty miles long. Oh It's western shore,
next to Admiralty Inlet and nearly oppo.
size to PoIt Townsend. Is government
light honse for the safety OF commerce..
Good district schools are taught on the
island during the summer months, and
one Church (tlle Methodist EplscopaD have
church buildings and resident minister
located near Coupevllc. Good roals trav-
erse the island in different directions, and.
as nearly all of the farmers have lived in
the county for years, they are generally
quite comfortably situated. Some Of
them have five orchards and raise fruit in
abundance. As TO wild game, the COUNTY
affords deer, grouse, ducks, quail, pigeons,
90.
Island county has but little land Suita.
BILE for farming purposes left vacant. ex-
eepqthe nplnnds. No doubt these will be
largely utilized In the future, but they are
ct present regarded as practically worth
less except for their timber. In many
places they are found to furnish good
grazing land after tile timber has been re-
moved. hence the suggestion that they
arnnvy ta ttfilt,aA A..