English Camp
English Camp (1860-1872) - A British post first established in 1860 by British Royal Marines on San Juan Island, San Juan County, Washington. Abandoned in 1872.
English Camp History
The British Royal Marines arrived in 1860 in response to an incident on San Juan Island that came to be known as the Pig War. The Pig War involved a territorial dispute with between Britain and the United States that was sparked by a British pig killed by an American farmer. No conflict erupted but the result was American Camp on the south end of the San Juan Island and English Camp on the North end of the Island since they both claimed the island. The stalemate lasted until Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany negotiated an agreement in 1872 that gave San Juan Island to the United States. The British Royal Marines left English Camp that same year.
Current Status
Part of San Juan Island National Historical Park administered by the National Park Service, San Juan Island, San Juan County, Washington. Several buildings including the blockhouse remain. The Royal Marine Cemetery also remains. The British flag is still flown over the post.
|
{"selectable":false,"width":"500"} |
Location: San Juan Island National Historical Park, San Juan Island, San Juan County, Washington. Maps & Images Lat: 48.586221 Long: -123.1503975 |
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 832
- Hart, Herbert M., Tour Guide to Old Western Forts, Pruett Publishing Co., Boulder CO, 1980, ISBN 0-87108-568-2, page 184
Links:
Visited: No
English Camp Picture Gallery
|
Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better! |