Arcadia Publishing Camano Island History Book

Camano Island is one of dozens of islands in Puget Sound once covered with immense stands of Douglas fir and Western red cedar. Beginning in 1858 and while the Civil War raged half a continent away, a large mill operated at the northern end of the island where the tall ships anchored to take away spars, pilings and lumber for export abroad. The mill closed in 1891 and small logging companies took the rest of the big trees over the years. Once a bridge was built in 1909, Camano became the "island you can drive to" for a fishing trip, hunting outing or a vacation cabin within a few hours of Seattle. In the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, Camano has become home to thousands of newcomers who enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges from Mount Baker to Mount Rainier.