Contributed by Madie Murray
In a delightful hour-plus walking tour of Olga, participants will hear how Orcas Island fits into the geologic history of the west coast of the American continent, take a look at the 9,000 years of native habitation before European settlement and learn about William Moore, the first settler on the east side of Orcas Island and his Salish Indian wife who became the first residents of what would become the village of Olga.
The tour starts at 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday through September. It begins at the old strawberry barreling plant: now home to the ‘Artworks’ an artists’ cooperative gallery at the intersection of Olga and Pt Lawrence Roads.
Gathered here, tourists will learn how Orcas Island was formed by geologic processes. Then the tour moves on to the village park to hear about Native American inhabitants and the first non-native settler; then onward to the Olga Store and the old steamboat dock and back to the Artworks, hearing some of the story of the village’s 150 years preceding today; and yes, maybe even how Olga got its name.
“The tour is a way to share the rich island history with visitors while providing an opportunity to enjoy the quiet historic village of Olga today,” says tour leader Betty Bartleson.
This two-year pilot project of the Olga Strawberry Council and The Orcas Island Artworks was created as a community enrichment effort. This year’s proceeds from the $5, or whatever-you-would-like-to-give donation goes towards a stone-carved memorial bench dedicated to the memory of Barbara Meyer, one of the founders of Artworks Cooperative Gallery.
For more information or to reserve your place on a tour, call Betty Bartleson at 376-5974.
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