Friday Harbor history

Foundation and Origin of the Name

The history of Friday Harbor is inextricably linked to the exploration of the San Juan Islands. Before the arrival of Europeans, these lands served for centuries as seasonal camps and fishing grounds for the indigenous Coast Salish peoples. The modern settlement began to take shape in the mid-19th century during the active period of the Hudson's Bay Company.

The town received its memorable name in honour of Joseph Friday, a Hawaiian shepherd who worked for the British trading company. According to local chronicles, he herded sheep on the shores of the bay, and captains of passing ships often saw smoke from his campfire, calling the place "Friday's Bay". Official town status (incorporation) was granted on 10 February 1909.

Key Factors of Development

The transformation of a small settlement into a thriving town and tourism hub was driven by several important factors:

• Favourable Geography: A deep harbour protected from winds served as an ideal natural port, allowing for the establishment of reliable ferry connections and trade with the mainland.
• Administrative Status: Friday Harbor was selected as the administrative centre of San Juan County, which attracted government institutions, businesses, and residents from neighbouring islands.

Early Economy and Culture

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town's economic character was shaped by nature's bounty. The primary engine of progress was the fishing industry: the opening of a large salmon cannery in 1894 provided jobs and an influx of capital.

In addition to fishing, agriculture played a vital role. Local farmers successfully engaged in sheep farming and fruit cultivation, particularly apples and pears, which were exported beyond the island. Notably, a marine biological station (now the University of Washington Friday Harbor Laboratories) was founded here as early as 1904, giving the town the status of an important scientific centre from its early years.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1845: The Hudson's Bay Company begins active operations on San Juan Island, employing Hawaiian shepherds, including Joseph Friday.
• 1873: Friday Harbor is officially selected as the administrative centre of the newly formed San Juan County.
• 1894: Opening of the Island Packing Company cannery, marking the beginning of the settlement's rapid industrial development.
• 1904: Foundation of the University of Washington marine biological station, launching the town's scientific history.
• 1909: Friday Harbor receives official town status (incorporation) on 10 February.
• 1913: Creation of the Friday Harbor Port Commission to manage growing maritime transport and harbour infrastructure.
• 1920s: A period of agricultural prosperity, when the town became an important hub for the export of peas and dairy products.
• 1979: Opening of The Whale Museum, the world's first museum dedicated to the study of cetaceans in the wild.
• 1980s: The beginning of the town's active economic transformation from fishing and agriculture to ecological tourism.
• 2009: The town ceremoniously celebrated its centennial, marking a century of sustainable development and island traditions.

Evolution and City Development

The development of Friday Harbor is a story of transformation from an isolated fishing settlement to a prestigious tourist and scientific centre. The economic and urban changes of the town can be divided into several key stages that defined its modern appearance.

• Industrialisation of the Waterfront (Late 19th Century): The construction of the Island Packing Company cannery was a town-forming factor. This not only created jobs but also stimulated the development of port infrastructure, electrification, and the construction of commercial buildings along the coastline, setting the town's development vector "facing the sea".
• Establishment of a Scientific Cluster (Early 20th Century): The opening of the University of Washington biological station (Friday Harbor Laboratories) changed the town's status. From a purely commercial settlement, Friday Harbor turned into an international centre for marine research, which attracted the academic community and contributed to the protection of the local ecology.
• Agrarian Boom (1920s – 1930s): During this period, the town became a logistics hub for the export of agricultural products, particularly peas and fruit. This strengthened the island's economic independence and promoted the development of warehouse and retail spaces in the town centre.
• Stabilisation of Transport Accessibility (Mid-20th Century): The inclusion of routes to the San Juan Islands in the Washington State Ferries system was a turning point. Regular and reliable communication with the mainland opened the town to a mass flow of visitors and new residents, beginning a gradual transition to a service economy.
• Reorientation towards Ecotourism (1980s): With the decline of commercial fishing, the town banked on its natural potential. The opening of The Whale Museum and the launch of orca whale-watching tours formed a new brand for the town. The economy restructured to service tourists, leading to growth in the hospitality and restaurant sectors.
• Urban Conservation (Modern Stage): Realising the value of historical heritage, town authorities adopted strict measures to preserve the architectural appearance. The rejection of high-rise construction and support for the restoration of wooden buildings from the early 20th century allowed the preservation of the unique atmosphere of a small port town, which today is a main magnet for travellers.

Urban Appearance and Atmosphere

The architecture of Friday Harbor differs strikingly from European cities or American metropolises. You will not find Gothic cathedrals or Art Deco skyscrapers here. The town's appearance is shaped by its maritime past, geographical isolation, and the availability of local materials, primarily timber.

The town developed organically around the natural harbour. The historic centre is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with streets gently rising from the waterfront up the hills. The urban fabric has preserved the scale of the late 19th and early 20th centuries: low-rise buildings predominate here, harmoniously blending into the San Juan Island landscape without obstructing views of the bay.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Several key stylistic directions can be traced in Friday Harbor's buildings, corresponding to the stages of its development:

• Folk Victorian Architecture (Late 19th Century): During the early settlement period, simple yet elegant wooden houses were built. Unlike lavish European Baroque or High Gothic, the local style is more restrained. It is characterised by gabled roofs, wooden cladding (siding), and decorative elements on the porch, adapted to the capabilities of local carpenters.
• Frontier Commercial Style (1890–1910s): Buildings with so-called "false fronts"—high rectangular front walls concealing a pitched roof—have been preserved in the town centre. This is a typical element of the American West's architecture, intended to give wooden structures a more imposing and urban look.
• Craftsman and Bungalow (1910–1930s): The most popular residential style in the town. Houses in the Arts and Crafts style are distinguished by low roofs with wide eaves, spacious verandas with massive columns, and the use of natural stone and wood. This style was perfectly suited to the climate and philosophy of life on the island.
• Maritime Industrial Style (Early 20th Century): Buildings of former canneries and warehouses by the water. This is utilitarian architecture with large open spaces, massive wooden beams, and minimal decoration, often converted today into restaurants and shops.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

A special atmosphere is lent to the town by preserved historical structures, many of which are under protection:

• San Juan County Courthouse: Built in 1906, this brick building is a rare example for the town of more monumental architecture, reflecting the administrative importance of Friday Harbor.
• The Whale Museum: Located in a historic wooden building from 1892, which originally served as the Odd Fellows Hall. It is a vivid example of late 19th-century public architecture that has preserved its wooden façade.
• Spring Street Historic District: The town's main street, where shops and cafes are concentrated in restored buildings from the beginning of the last century, creating the cosy atmosphere of an old port town.

Notable Figures of Friday Harbor

The history and unique atmosphere of Friday Harbor have been shaped by the people who lived and worked here. From early settlers to world-renowned stars, San Juan Island has always attracted independent and creative natures.

Founders and Pioneers

• Joseph Friday
  Shepherd, Pioneer
  The man who gave the town its name. Of Hawaiian descent, he worked for the Hudson's Bay Company in the mid-19th century. Friday herded sheep on the shores of the bay, and ship captains, seeing smoke from his campfire, marked "Friday’s Bay" on their charts, a name that later became attached to the town.
• Edward Warbass
  Entrepreneur, Politician, Founder
  One of the key figures in the town's early history. Arriving on the island in the 1850s, he played a decisive role in the creation of San Juan County and the transfer of the administrative centre to Friday Harbor. Warbass was also the first county auditor and actively developed the settlement's infrastructure.

Writers and Aviators

• Ernest K. Gann
  Writer, Aviator, Philanthropist
  The famous author of aviation bestsellers (such as "The High and the Mighty") chose the island as his home in the second half of the 20th century. Gann not only wrote books here but also made a huge contribution to community development, donating land and funds to create a public library and the island's community foundation.
• Richard Bach
  Writer, Pilot
  The author of the cult novella "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" lived on San Juan Island in the 1970s and 80s. Local landscapes and the freedom of flying over the archipelago inspired many of his works. Residents often saw his seaplane in the harbour of Friday Harbor.

Contemporary Figures and Celebrities

• Steve Miller
  Rock Musician
  The leader of the Steve Miller Band and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is a long-time resident of the island. He values Friday Harbor for its privacy and tranquillity, actively participating in local community life while preferring to maintain a low profile.
• Lisa Moretti
  Professional Wrestler, Entrepreneur
  Better known by her ring name Ivory, a WWE legend and Hall of Fame member. After finishing her sports career, she settled in Friday Harbor, where she opened a successful pet care business, becoming an integral part of town life.