English Camp - San Juan Island National Historic Park

English Camp is located on Garrison Bay, former site of the British Royal Marine garrison. You can visit the parade grounds, barracks, blockhouse, commissary, officers hill and a formal garden patterned after the original on e planted in 1867 for a captain's homesick wife. A film in the visitor center describes the US-British boundary dispute and the peaceful joint occupation. The British believed they had a legal right to the islands guaranteed by earlier treaties, explorations, and the commercial activities of the Hudson's Bay Company. The boundary was set along the 49th parallel, from the Rocky Mountains to the middle of the channel separating Vancouver Island from the mainland, then south to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and out to the Pacific Ocean. But, there are two channels that separate Vancouver Island from the mainland. One is Haro Strait, near Vancouver Island, and the other is Rosario Strait, near the mainland. The San Juan Islands lie between the two straits. Both sides claimed the entire island group.

Hike one mile up through forest to the summit of 650-foot Young Hill for panoramas of Vancouver Island, Haro Strait, and the Olympic Mountains. Along the way, pass the English Cemetery historic site.

There is an easy one mile loop trail out to Bell Point. From the parade grounds, find either end of the trail and follow the signs. There are views of Garrison and Westcott Bays.

The Royal Marines landed here March 21, 1860, and established the camp. By the time they left 12 years later, after the United States was deemed the island's rightful owner, the marines had 27 structures, two wharfs, two wells, a pasture, a formal garden, several roads, and much fencing. The British were quite comfortable here. U.S. Army Major Michler, who surveyed the site in 1874, wrote, "It is not surprising that the British Troops left with regret..." Unlike American Camp, where improvements were regularly denied by the U.S. Army quartermaster, English Camp was well supported. Some of the buildings were built with funds from the Royal Navy, but much was financed by the colonial government on Vancouver Island. Being close to the British colony ensured a well-cared-for post.

English Camp - San Juan Island

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