The Pig War Was More About Land , Less About Bacon
BUYERS WANTED YOUR
OWN PRIVATE ISLAND
I T I N E R A R Y | S H O R T H O P S
The Pig War Was More About Land , Less About Bacon
It ’ s strange to think that the San Juan Islands might have been a British territory . It ’ s even stranger to think that the United States and Great Britain almost went to war when a pig owned by the Hudson ’ s Bay Company was killed by an American squatter .
TRUE STORY . WHEN THE PIG killed in 1859 , England ’ s ire was raised and tensions escalated that almost caused a war between the two nations .
And while today it is referred to as the Pig War , it was ultimately about what country owned San Juan Island , the largest island in the archipelago chain situated between Washington and British Columbia . The United States laid claim to the island with an agreement with Spain in 1818 , while Great Britain believed they had legal right to it guaranteed by earlier treaties . In 1846 the Treaty of Oregon was signed which set the boundary on the 49th parallel , from the Rocky Mountains to the middle of the channel that separated the US and Canada , which is today referred to as the Strait of Juan de Fuca . And San Juan Island sets directly in the middle . The problem came when the Hudson ’ s Bay Company claimed the island . In 1853 the islands were claimed as part of Washington Territory . As one might expect both countries claimed the island as their own .
Fast forward to 1859 when 18 Americans settled on land claimed by British Columbia , which just so happened to be prime sheep grazing land . The British considered the Americans squatters and failed to recognized their claims . While relations were tense , they reached a head in 1859 when a fellow by the name of Lyman Cutlar shot and killed a pig owned by the Hudson ’ s Bay Company . British authorities threatened to arrest him and evict everyone from the land they had claimed . It was at that point both England and U . S . military forces got involved .
In a show of force 461 American soldiers and one warship were eventually transferred to the islands while the British brought their own reinforcements : three warships and an army of Royal Marines . It remained a standoff for several months before cooler heads prevailed thanks to American President James Buchanan ’ s involvement . For the next 12 years the island remained under joint military occupation where both countries remained encamped . It took an independent review from Germany to finally resolve who legally owned the island . In November 1872 Great Britain ’ s Royal Marines withdrew leaving the United States to fully own and occupy the island . Today , the land where both armies camped is a national park .
And while tensions flared throughout the 13-year ordeal , thankfully the only casualty in this war was a pig .
BUYERS WANTED YOUR
OWN PRIVATE ISLAND
While it might appear to be a foreign concept to the mere mortals in this world , it ’ s more common in the San Juan Islands than one might think .
THERE ARE OVER 740 ISLANDS in the archipelago chain , and several are privately owned by either individuals or non-profit organizations . And just to confirm that it ’ s possible , we found a website listing Trump Island for sale .
Located between Decatur and Lopez islands , Trump Island is a 29-acre island that is currently listed for a cool $ 8.75 million .
And what pray tell does one get for that kind of scratch ? Here goes : a 7,000 square foot home with 360 degree views , 4,230 feet of saltwater frontage , a 1,200 square foot caretakers cottage , a 60 x 80 boat dock that can accommodate yachts and seaplanes , plus a dock house with electricity and a 5,000 gallon diesel storage tank . The home ( we dare not call it a house ) is powered by two 45,000 generators that are run by submarine-type batteries . Rainwater is captured and purified then contained on the island ’ s tank farm , which is run by solar power . Because there ’ s so much more to the island , its home and amenities we encourage you to check it out at privateislandsonline . com .
ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD PUZZLE ON PAGE 64 .
22 explore : NW | The Official Magazine of kenmore air | Spring 2016