Dungeness, Washington
Encyclopedia
Dungeness is an unincorporated community
in Clallam County, Washington, United States
, located north of Sequim
. Dungeness crab
is named after the town of Dungeness, which is located on the Strait of Juan de Fuca
. Dungeness has a number of waterfront residential communities, but also features the Dungeness Spit
, a popular destination for locals and tourists.
The name "Dungeness" refers to the Dungeness headland in England
. It was given by George Vancouver
in 1792, who wrote: The low sandy point of land, which from its great resemblance to Dungeness in ths British Channel, I called New Dungeness.
The West Coast's first commercial fishery, mainly producing Dungeness crabs, was built in 1848 in Dungeness.
Smaller communities within the Dungeness area include Old Town, which is located near the Cline Spit, and Jamestown, located around Jamestown Road. Jamestown is named after the S'Klallam (Jamestown) tribe.
One of the main attractions of Dungeness is The 3 Crabs restaurant. Founded in 1958, it was once considered a premier restaurant in the northwest and remains a favorite locally.
It is the home of Nash's Organic Farm, which raises organic vegetables and is one of the premier organic farms in Western Washington. It is also the home of Five Acre School, an excellent private Montessori school going from preschool to 6th grade.
Recreational areas near Dungeness include the Dungeness Recreation Area and Wildlife Refuge, containing many excellent trails. It also contains Dungeness Spit, the world's longest natural sand spit. Crab flourish in Dungeness Bay, and crabbing is a popular local pastime.
The Dungeness Spit is also home to the Dungeness Light House. Completed in 1857, the light house was the first along the Strait of Juan de Fuca
. The adjoining house was constructed in 1895. The light house tower was originally 100 feet (30.5 m) tall, but this was reduced to 63 feet (19.2 m) in 1927 due to the deteriorating upper structure. The light house was manned by the Coast Guard
until 1994, when the site was leased to the New Dungeness Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Clallam County, Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, located north of Sequim
Sequim, Washington
Sequim is a city in Clallam County, Washington, United States. The 2010 US Census counted a population of 6,606. Sequim is located along the Dungeness River near the base of the Olympic Mountains...
. Dungeness crab
Dungeness crab
The Dungeness crab, Metacarcinus magister , is a species of crab that inhabits eelgrass beds and water bottoms on the west coast of North America. It typically grows to across the carapace and is a popular seafood...
is named after the town of Dungeness, which is located on the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Strait of Juan de Fuca
The Strait of Juan de Fuca is a large body of water about long that is the Salish Sea outlet to the Pacific Ocean...
. Dungeness has a number of waterfront residential communities, but also features the Dungeness Spit
Dungeness Spit
Dungeness Spit is a long sand spit jutting out from the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula in northeastern Clallam County, Washington, into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It protects Dungeness Bay. The Dungeness Spit is entirely within the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and home of the...
, a popular destination for locals and tourists.
The name "Dungeness" refers to the Dungeness headland in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was given by George Vancouver
George Vancouver
Captain George Vancouver RN was an English officer of the British Royal Navy, best known for his 1791-95 expedition, which explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, including the coasts of contemporary Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon...
in 1792, who wrote: The low sandy point of land, which from its great resemblance to Dungeness in ths British Channel, I called New Dungeness.
The West Coast's first commercial fishery, mainly producing Dungeness crabs, was built in 1848 in Dungeness.
Smaller communities within the Dungeness area include Old Town, which is located near the Cline Spit, and Jamestown, located around Jamestown Road. Jamestown is named after the S'Klallam (Jamestown) tribe.
It is the home of Nash's Organic Farm, which raises organic vegetables and is one of the premier organic farms in Western Washington. It is also the home of Five Acre School, an excellent private Montessori school going from preschool to 6th grade.
Recreational areas near Dungeness include the Dungeness Recreation Area and Wildlife Refuge, containing many excellent trails. It also contains Dungeness Spit, the world's longest natural sand spit. Crab flourish in Dungeness Bay, and crabbing is a popular local pastime.
The Dungeness Spit is also home to the Dungeness Light House. Completed in 1857, the light house was the first along the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Strait of Juan de Fuca
The Strait of Juan de Fuca is a large body of water about long that is the Salish Sea outlet to the Pacific Ocean...
. The adjoining house was constructed in 1895. The light house tower was originally 100 feet (30.5 m) tall, but this was reduced to 63 feet (19.2 m) in 1927 due to the deteriorating upper structure. The light house was manned by the Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
until 1994, when the site was leased to the New Dungeness Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society.