By Tom Welch
Almost 141 years ago an event occurred which should be celebrated in San Juan County. On October 21, 1872, Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany, acting as official Arbitrator of the San Juan Dispute between the United States and Great Britain, decided in favor of the United States.
This decision set the border between the U.S. and British Canada in the middle of the Haro Strait, between San Juan and Vancouver Islands. Thus, the Pig War was ended, the 12 year joint occupation of San Juan Island by American and British troops came to a peaceful and amicable end, and the San Juan Islands became part of the United States of America.
It seems to me that this date, October 21st, deserves recognition in our county. The Kaiser’s award of these islands to the United States was, at least for us, a singularly important event in our history.
San Juan is alone among all Washington State counties regarding the difficulties and dangers attached to the demarcation of our county line. And no one can dispute that, Pig or no, a narrowly averted war with Great Britain was no small matter for our nation.
I suggest our County Commissioners consider this matter among their many other important deliberations, and suggest they take the decision to make October 21st a Day of Celebration in San Juan County. We celebrate lesser days with folderol and fanfare – why not celebrate the day we came ‘home’ in an appropriate manner? Perhaps a pig roast…!
Tom Welch is an Olga resident, San Juan County Historian and the author of Orcas Island. Proceeds from the sale of that book benefit the Orcas Island Historical Society and Museum
It’s a great idea Tom. Unique to the islands and the perfect way to kick off the winter season.
Only if it is a local free range pig !
We will gladly make it the first item on the agenda of the next meeting of The Deer Harbor Business Association. The news that both Olga and Deer Harbor are part of America will probably cause some consternation but our resolve to preserve our anonymity will carry the day.
We think it would be far more appropriate to NOT roast/kill a pig – or any animal – in celebration of anything! Surely someone can think of a better, more fun way to celebrate!There’s more than enough killing in our world! Frank and Jan Loudin
Oh dear, just as we were going to have a party…. well, we could maybe celebrate a tofu roast or a safe shoot event at the Sportsman’s Club.
Eating together is the universally observed, time-tested way to show respect for others, and many of us do eat meat — even the Dali Lama!
and it is a historical celebration… maybe a tug of war between the carnivores and the vegetarians?
But above all, let’s celebrate that a war DIDN’T break out —
I think it is a great idea. I am in.