❖ MONUMENTS of STONE on SAN JUAN ISLAND ❖ 1904

The unveiling of the monuments at the American and British military camps 21 October was a most notable occasion not only in the history of the county but of the northwest. The day was perfect and not a single incident occurred to detract from the pleasure of the exercises at either camp. Never before since termination of the joint occupancy has there been so large a representation of the army and navy in the county, nor so large an assemblage of prominent people within its borders. If it were possible, or practicable, to assemble all the people of the county together in one place a vote of thanks would be unanimously tendered to the University Historical Society for having erected such appropriate monuments to mark two of the most historic spots in the northwest. To Professor Meany, the society's able and energetic secretary, the credit for the inception of the plan and its notable successful execution is largely due. The monuments are of marble, resting upon granite bases, and are each six feet in height. 
     

21 October 1904
AMERICAN CAMP
1859-1872.
Photograph by J.A. McCormick,
Seattle-San Juan County photographer;
From the archives of the
Saltwater People Historical Society©

      On the monument at American camp are the following inscriptions carved and gilded:

"Erected 21 Oct. 1904,

By the Washington University

State Historical Society."

"As arbitrator William I of Germany 

decided the San Juan Case

21 Oct. 1872."

First officer in charge was

Capt. George E. Pickett

of the 9th US Infantry."

"American Camp

1859-1872."

The two first inscriptions likewise appear on the monument at English camp. The other two are: 

"First officer in charge was 

Capt. George Bazalgette" and 

"British Camp 1860-1872."

Last week the Islander, published pictures of the cottage occupied by Capt. Pickett as commander at American Camp. It was removed to Friday Harbor after the termination of the joint occupancy and has ever since been the home of the well-known pioneer, Capt. Edward D. Warbass, who was Capt. Pickett's friend and companion for a number of years. 

      Following is the program of exercises as they took place at the two camps:

AMERICAN CAMP

March from the shore of Griffin Bay to American Camp.

      Presiding officer––President Thomas F. Kane, of the UW.

      Invocation by Rev. C.C. Pratt, of Friday Harbor.

      Unveiling of the monument; made by the Puget Sound artillery band––Star Spangled Banner."

      National salute by U.S.S. Wyoming.

      Address of welcome by Hon. John S. McMillin, of Roche Harbor.

      "The United States Navy," by Commander V.L. Cottman, of the USS Wyoming.

      Introduction of E. D. Warbass by O.H. Culver, editor of the San Juan Islander.

      "Post Sutler Under Pickett," by E.D. Warbass, of Friday Harbor.

      Music by the artillery band.

      "Memory of American Camp," by General George B. Dandy, US Army, retired.

Letter from Hamilton Fish, son of President Grant's secretary of state, read by H.E. Holmes, of Seattle.

      "The United States Army," by McCloskey, commanding the troops from the Puget Sound artillery district.

      Address by Hon. George H. Williams, present mayor of Portland, read by Prof. Maynard Lee Daggy, of the UW.

      "Music by the artillery band.

Old-timers claim the high portion of the barn
was used as a "Hospital at American Camp"
during the Joint Occupation on San Juan Island, WA.
Date of photo c. the 1950s.
Low res scan from the archives of the
Saltwater People Historical Society©

AMERICAN CAMP MONUMENT
Visited by thousands of tourists each year.
A more modern day touch by
photographer Eric Wahleen.
from the archives of Saltwater People Historical Society

––––––––––––––––––––––
BRITISH CAMP

      

British Camp Monument
Erected 21 October 1904.
Photo by James A. McCormick, 
a Seattle-San Juan County photographer
who set up a more permanent 
workshop in the county seat in 1906.
From the archives of the
Saltwater People Historical Society©

March from the shore of Garrison Bay to British Camp.

      Presiding officer ––J udge Cornelius H. Hanford, of the United States district court.

      The unveiling of the monument; music by the Puget Sound artillery band –– 'America' or 'God Save the King.'

      National salute by USS WYOMING.

      

Arriving for the party––
US MONITOR WYOMING
Disp. 3,235 t.
Speed 12 knots.
Armament: two 12-in 40 caliber, B.L.
four 4-in, R.F.;
three 6-ponders; six 1-pounders
two Colts.
Complement 137. Length 252-ft.
Click image to enlarge.
Litho postcard from the archives of the
Saltwater People Historical Society©
Thank you, Ed. B., for the photo of this vessel,
a backward link to some Pacific Northwest history.

Address of welcome by Rev. C.C. Pratt, of Friday Harbor.

      "First US States Customs Officer at San Juan After the Arbitration Decision," by Mr. Frank H. Winslow, president of the WA Pioneers' Assoc.

      Letter from Gen. Hazard Stevens, special commissioner under Present Grant to adjust claims by British landholders on the San Juan Islands, read by I.A. Nadean, of Seattle.

      Music by the artillery band.

      Greeting from Wisconsin State Historical Society by President Robert L. McCormick.

      Address by Hon. Bernard Pelly, British vice-consul at Seattle.

      Benediction by Rev. R.L. Bussabarger, of Seattle.

      March to the shore with music by the artillery band.

Source: The San Juan Islander 29 October 1904.

Looking further back than the monument celebration
here is Capt. William A.Delacombe,
commander of the Royal Marines,
who came on duty in 1867,
and his family on porch of their English Camp home,
San Juan Island, WA.
Low res scan from a photo in the archives of the
Saltwater People Historical Society©

ENGLISH CAMP signage
erected long after the 1904 event, 
by WA. State Highway Commission 
in cooperation with the WA. State 
Dept of Parks and Recreation.
Click image to enlarge.
Ellis photo from the
Saltwater People Historical Society© 

1961: Designated as being a US National Historical Landmark District.

1966, 15 Oct.: designated on the US National Register of Historic Places. 
These sites were created by an Act of Congress this year.