Friday Harbor, Washington

This article is about the town in Washington. For the resort in Canada, see Friday Harbour (Resort). For other uses, see Friday Harbor.

Town in Washington, United States

Friday Harbor, Washington

Town

Friday Harbor, Washington

Location of Friday Harbor, Washington

Coordinates: 48°31′59″N 123°04′35″W﻿ / ﻿48.53306°N 123.07639°W﻿ / 48.53306; -123.07639
Country| United States
State| Washington
County| San Juan
Incorporated| February 10, 1909
Area

[1]

• Total

| 2.25 sq mi (5.84 km2)
• Land| 2.18 sq mi (5.65 km2)
• Water| 0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)
Elevation

[2]

| 115 ft (35 m)
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 2,613
• Density| 1,200/sq mi (450/km2)
Time zone| UTC−8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)| UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP Code|

98250

Area codes| 360 and 564
FIPS code| 53-25615[3]
GNIS feature ID| 2412659[2]
Website| fridayharbor.org

Friday Harbor is a town in San Juan County, Washington, United States. The population was 2,613 at the 2020 census. Located on San Juan Island, Friday Harbor is the major commercial center of the San Juan Islands archipelago and is the county seat of San Juan County.[4]

## History

[edit]

Friday Harbor Packing Co. salmon cannery Friday Harbor and Puget Sound Navigation Co.'s steamer Whatcom at dock, 1915

In 1845 the Hudson's Bay Company laid claim to San Juan Island. In 1850 they built a salmon curing station. A few years later they started a sheep farm.[5]

The town's name originates from Joseph Poalie Friday, a native Hawaiian. Friday worked at the Pugets Sound Agricultural Company's Fort Cowlitz, from 1841 to 1859–60 and later moved north to San Juan Island, raising and herding sheep around the harbor.[6]

After the peaceful settlement obtained following the Pig War, the San Juan Islands became a separate county in 1873. Friday Harbor was named the county seat.[7] Friday Harbor was officially incorporated on February 10, 1909. It remains the only incorporated town in the San Juan Islands.[8]

Sailing ships, and later, the steamships of the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet, visited the harbor on a regular basis hauling passengers, mail and freight. Freight from the island would include apples, pears, cherries, strawberries, peas, cream, eggs, chickens, grain, salmon, and lime. All were produced on or around San Juan Island. The Great Depression, World War II, the pea weevil, and competition from Eastern Washington growers brought about the decline of traditional island industries, diminishing Friday Harbor's export trade. The 1970s brought new industries - tourism, retirement, real estate, and construction. Today, Friday Harbor is again busy and prosperous.

Osamu Shimomura harvested jellyfish from the docks of the harbor. Eventually he purified the proteins that allow the jellyfish to fluoresce green when exposed to blue light. One of them, green fluorescent protein, is now widely used as a marker of molecular activity.[9]

## Geography and climate

[edit]

Friday Harbor is located on the east side of San Juan Island facing the San Juan Channel. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.16 square miles (5.59 km2), of which, 2.09 square miles (5.41 km2) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2) is water.[10]

Friday Harbor has a Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb) with warm, dry summers and cold, though not severe, and rainy winters.

Climate data for Friday Harbor, Washington (Friday Harbor Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1998–present

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °F (°C)  | 60
(16)  | 59
(15)  | 71
(22)  | 79
(26)  | 98
(37)  | 101
(38)  | 97
(36)  | 93
(34)  | 89
(32)  | 76
(24)  | 66
(19)  | 58
(14)  | 101
(38)
Mean maximum °F (°C)  | 53.9
(12.2)  | 54.9
(12.7)  | 61.7
(16.5)  | 68.0
(20.0)  | 76.1
(24.5)  | 80.9
(27.2)  | 86.3
(30.2)  | 85.2
(29.6)  | 80.3
(26.8)  | 66.5
(19.2)  | 59.6
(15.3)  | 53.9
(12.2)  | 89.3
(31.8)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 47.1
(8.4)  | 48.5
(9.2)  | 52.6
(11.4)  | 57.4
(14.1)  | 63.7
(17.6)  | 68.4
(20.2)  | 72.4
(22.4)  | 73.3
(22.9)  | 68.1
(20.1)  | 58.5
(14.7)  | 51.0
(10.6)  | 46.3
(7.9)  | 58.9
(15.0)
Daily mean °F (°C)  | 42.1
(5.6)  | 42.5
(5.8)  | 45.5
(7.5)  | 49.1
(9.5)  | 54.0
(12.2)  | 58.2
(14.6)  | 61.2
(16.2)  | 61.6
(16.4)  | 58.0
(14.4)  | 51.2
(10.7)  | 45.4
(7.4)  | 41.6
(5.3)  | 50.9
(10.5)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 37.1
(2.8)  | 36.5
(2.5)  | 38.4
(3.6)  | 40.7
(4.8)  | 44.3
(6.8)  | 48.1
(8.9)  | 50.0
(10.0)  | 50.0
(10.0)  | 47.9
(8.8)  | 44.0
(6.7)  | 39.8
(4.3)  | 36.8
(2.7)  | 42.8
(6.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C)  | 24.2
(−4.3)  | 25.3
(−3.7)  | 27.9
(−2.3)  | 32.3
(0.2)  | 36.0
(2.2)  | 41.0
(5.0)  | 44.2
(6.8)  | 44.6
(7.0)  | 41.2
(5.1)  | 33.7
(0.9)  | 26.3
(−3.2)  | 22.9
(−5.1)  | 18.1
(−7.7)
Record low °F (°C)  | 11
(−12)  | 17
(−8)  | 19
(−7)  | 27
(−3)  | 30
(−1)  | 36
(2)  | 40
(4)  | 42
(6)  | 36
(2)  | 26
(−3)  | 12
(−11)  | 8
(−13)  | 8
(−13)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 2.69
(68)  | 1.54
(39)  | 1.35
(34)  | 1.01
(26)  | 1.14
(29)  | 0.75
(19)  | 0.48
(12)  | 0.70
(18)  | 1.04
(26)  | 2.34
(59)  | 2.98
(76)  | 2.45
(62)  | 18.47
(468)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 16.7  | 13.8  | 14.3  | 10.3  | 9.6  | 7.5  | 5.0  | 7.7  | 11.8  | 15.2  | 16.3  | 15.9  | 144.1
Source 1: NOAA[11]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 2006-2020)[12]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1910| 400| | —
1920| 522| | 30.5%
1930| 601| | 15.1%
1940| 658| | 9.5%
1950| 783| | 19.0%
1960| 706| | −9.8%
1970| 803| | 13.7%
1980| 1,200| | 49.4%
1990| 1,492| | 24.3%
2000| 1,989| | 33.3%
2010| 2,162| | 8.7%
2020| 2,613| | 20.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
2020 Census[14]

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 census,[15] there were 2,162 people, 1,015 households, and 481 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,034.4 inhabitants per square mile (399.4/km2). There were 1,273 housing units at an average density of 609.1 per square mile (235.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 83.1% White, 0.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 10.9% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.9% of the population.

There were 1,015 households, of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.2% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 52.6% were non-families. 46.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.05 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the town was 41.3 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 28.7% were from 45 to 64; and 17% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the 2000 census,[3] there were 1,989 people, 896 households, and 468 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,467.7 people per square mile (564.7/km2). There were 1,053 housing units at an average density of 777.0 per square mile (298.9/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 92.01% White, 0.65% African American, 1.31% Native American, 1.41% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 2.61% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.23% of the population.

There were 896 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.7% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the town, the age distribution of the population shows 23.1% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,139, and the median income for a family was $45,208. Males had a median income of $35,625 versus $24,741 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,792. About 7.7% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

## Arts and culture

[edit]

Friday Harbor was also the home base for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, where president and founder Paul Watson lived.

## Transportation

[edit]

A passenger ferry at Friday Harbor's dock

Friday Harbor's primary connection to the mainland is via the San Juan Islands ferry operated by Washington State Ferries, which sail between the town and Anacortes several times per day. An international extension of the route to Sidney, British Columbia, ran seasonally from May to October until it was discontinued in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown of cross-border traffic. The Sidney ferry is not expected to resume until 2030 at the earliest due to low demand and a staff shortage.[16][17] Seasonal passenger ferry service by private operators is available from Bellingham, Port Townsend, and Seattle to Friday Harbor.[18]

On San Juan Island, there are taxis, seasonal shuttles, bicycles, and mopeds for rent. The San Juan Transit system connects Friday Harbor to other areas of the island, including tourist destinations, with year-round service.[19] It launched in 1993.[20]

The Friday Harbor Airport features limited airline service. The midtown Friday Harbor Seaplane Base is also served by regular daily floatplane scheduled services from the downtown pier to Seattle's Lake Union seaplane terminal or the South tip of Lake Washington at Renton Municipal Airport with Friday Harbor Seaplanes.[21]

## Education

[edit]

Children playing on Spring Street

The town is served by the San Juan Island School District.[22] Friday Harbor has several schools, including the public Friday Harbor High School, Friday Harbor Middle School, and Friday Harbor Elementary School that are part of the San Juan Island School District; and three private schools: Stillpoint School, Paideia Classical School, and Spring Street International School. Also on the island is a branch of Skagit Valley College. The school district once included the Stuart Island Elementary School that was established in 1897 and was one of Washington's "remote and necessary" schools before closing in 2013.[23]

The town of Friday Harbor houses the world-famous marine biology facility, Friday Harbor Laboratories, a field station of the University of Washington.

## Sister cities

[edit]

Friday Harbor has the following sister cities:[24]

* Terschelling, Netherlands
* Vela Luka, Croatia (shared with Anacortes)

## In popular culture

[edit]

Friday Harbor has also been seen in several films including Practical Magic, Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home, Pirate for the Sea, and Namu, the Killer Whale.[25] The 2012 Hallmark Film called Christmas with Holly is the TV-movie adaptation of Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor, the first book in the series, and also features Friday Harbor.

## Gallery

[edit]

* Friday Harbor

* A statue of a seal named Popeye in Fairweather Park

* Spring Street and harbor

* Friday Harbor's landscaping is rich with lavender and California poppies.

* Cars at the entrance to the ferry terminal

* Downtown

* San Juan County District Courthouse

* Marina in Friday Harbor

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Friday Harbor, Washington
3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. ^ "History and stories of Friday Harbor". Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2007.
6. ^ "Who is Friday Harbor Named After Anyway?".
7. ^ "A brief history of Friday Harbor". Archived from the original on March 17, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2007.
8. ^ "Voluntarily preserving Friday Harbor's history". Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
9. ^ "Floating to the Top". Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
10. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
11. ^ "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Friday Harbor AP, WA". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
12. ^ "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Seattle". National Weather Service. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
13. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved August 31, 2014.
14. ^ "Census Bureau profile: Friday Harbor, Washington". United States Census Bureau. May 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
16. ^ Kroman, David (March 1, 2023). "WA ferries restores service to some routes, delays others". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
17. ^ Blacomb-Bartok, Kelley (March 20, 2023). "Sidney ferry run unlikely to return until 2030". The Journal of the San Juan Islands. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
18. ^ "Transportation & Information Links – The Port of Friday Harbor". Retrieved November 6, 2021.
19. ^ Clement, Bethany Jean (July 18, 2019). "How to get yourself and your car to the San Juan Islands: 5 tips for scoring ferry reservations (and what to do if you don't get one)". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
20. ^ Lane, Bob (July 30, 1995). "Busing around the islands". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
21. ^ "Catch the Whale Plane to San Juan Island!". Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved June 1, 2007.
22. ^ U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division (December 21, 2020). 2020 Census – School District Reference Map: San Juan County, WA (PDF) (Map). 1:87,051. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
23. ^ "Our District / Stuart Island School".
24. ^ "Sister Relationships". Archived from the original on November 5, 2012.
25. ^ Courtney Oldwyn (April 20, 2017). "Starstruck in the San Juans". Tucker House Inn & Harrison House Suites. Retrieved February 4, 2022.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Friday Harbor, Washington.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Friday Harbor.

* Friday Harbor and San Juan Island Web Directory / Information
* San Juan Islander - daily news site
* The Journal of the San Juan Islands - newspaper and website
* Friday Harbor and San Juan Islands online news
* Washington State Ferries Anacortes / San Juan Schedule

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of San Juan County, Washington, United States

County seat: Friday Harbor

Populated
islands|

* Blakely
* Brown
* Center
* Crane
* Decatur
* Lopez
* Orcas
* San Juan
* Shaw
* Stuart
* Waldron

Map of Washington highlighting San Juan County

Town|

* Friday Harbor

CDP|

* Roche Harbor

Other
communities|

* Argyle
* Decatur
* Deer Harbor
* Doe Bay
* Eastsound
* Islandale
* Olga
* Orcas Village
* Rosario

* Washington portal
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Steamboats of Puget Sound and western Washington State

* v
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Ships of the Mosquito Fleet

Propellers|

| Wood|

* Albion
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* Aquilo (yacht)
* Arcadia
* Atlanta
* Audrey
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|

Steel|

* Aquilo (yacht)
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Sternwheelers|

* Bailey Gatzert
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Sidewheelers|

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Steam tugs|

* Alice (1897)
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* Echo
* Elk
* Goliah (1849)
* Goliah (1907)
* Hector
* Rabboni
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* Richard Holyoke
* Ruth
* Wallowa

Steam ferries|

| Converted|

* Bailey Gatzert
* City of Sacramento
* Beeline
* Fortuna
* Sioux

|

Purpose-built|

* City of Clinton
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* City of Seattle
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Motor vessels|

* Alverene
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Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet companies, shipyards, and personnel

Companies|

| Passenger
and freight|

* Angeles Brewing & Malting Co.
* Black Ball Line
* Hale Pass. & Wollochet Bay Nav. Co.
* Hansen Trans. Co.
* Hunt Bros.
* Island Trans. Co.
* Kitsap County Trans. Co.
* La Conner Trading & Trans. Co.
* McDowell Trans. Co.
* Merchants Trans. Co.
* Moe Bros.
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* Oregon Steam Navig. Co.
* Puget Sound Nav. Co.
* Pacific Coast Steamship
* Straits Steamship Co.
* Tacoma & Burton Nav. Co.
* Vashon Nav. Co.

|

Towing|

Pacific Tow Boat Co.

Ferry|

* Kitsap County Trans. Co.
* Oreg. & Wash. Ferry & Nav. Go.
* Puget Sound Nav. Co.
* West Seattle Land & Improv. Co.

Shipyards|

* Crawford & Reid
* J.F. Duthie
* Holland
* King & Winge
* Lake Washington
* Moran Bros.
* Martinolich

Personnel|

* William Ballard
* Thomas Coupe
* Joshua Green
* Matthew McDowell

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Steamboats in other areas

Articles by area|

| Washington|

* Lake Washington
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|

Oregon|

* Columbia River
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British Columbia|

* Upper Fraser River
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Alaska and Yukon|

Yukon River

Other|

Mackenzie River

Navboxes|

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Lists of vessels|

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Further information: Washington State Ferries

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County seats of Washington

* Asotin
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Authority control databases

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Other|

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