Raft Island
Encyclopedia
Raft Island is a private island
in the Pierce County
community of Rosedale, Washington, USA. Gig Harbor, Washington
is the nearest incorporated town, although unincorporated Artondale
is much closer. There are 1,694 housing units and a population of 4,107 persons on the island as of the 2010 census
.
Raft Island contains parks, roads, several private beaches, a private tennis court, private boat launch, and a church camp. Because of its picturesque setting, Raft Island has been the subject of many artistic pursuits. The island is connected to the outskirts of Gig Harbor by a 0.5 km (0.310686368324903 mi)-long bridge.
Raft Island is located at 47°19.700′N 122°40.000′W. It is 201.1 acres (813,910 m²) in area, and is oval in shape. It is located in Henderson Bay within Puget Sound
.
According to Edmond S. Meany
, Raft Island was probably named from its appearance. In 1841 Charles Wilkes
of the United States Exploring Expedition
gave it the name "Allshouse Island", probably for Joseph Allshouse, a member of his crew.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the Pierce County
Pierce County, Washington
right|thumb|[[Tacoma, Washington|Tacoma]] - Seat of Pierce CountyPierce County is the second most populous county in the U.S. state of Washington. Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory...
community of Rosedale, Washington, USA. Gig Harbor, Washington
Gig Harbor, Washington
Gig Harbor is the name of both a bay on Puget Sound and a city on its shore in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 7,126 at the 2010 census....
is the nearest incorporated town, although unincorporated Artondale
Artondale, Washington
Artondale is a census-designated place in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 8,630 at the 2000 census.Based on per capita income, one of the more reliable measures of affluence, Artondale ranks 82nd of 522 areas in the state of Washington to be ranked.-Geography:Artondale...
is much closer. There are 1,694 housing units and a population of 4,107 persons on the island as of the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
.
Raft Island contains parks, roads, several private beaches, a private tennis court, private boat launch, and a church camp. Because of its picturesque setting, Raft Island has been the subject of many artistic pursuits. The island is connected to the outskirts of Gig Harbor by a 0.5 km (0.310686368324903 mi)-long bridge.
Raft Island is located at 47°19.700′N 122°40.000′W. It is 201.1 acres (813,910 m²) in area, and is oval in shape. It is located in Henderson Bay within Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
.
According to Edmond S. Meany
Edmond S. Meany
Edmond S. Meany was a professor of botany and history at the University of Washington and a UW alumnus, having graduated as the valedictorian of his class in 1885...
, Raft Island was probably named from its appearance. In 1841 Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes was an American naval officer and explorer. He led the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 and commanded the ship in the Trent Affair during the American Civil War...
of the United States Exploring Expedition
United States Exploring Expedition
The United States Exploring Expedition was an exploring and surveying expedition of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding lands conducted by the United States from 1838 to 1842. The original appointed commanding officer was Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones. The voyage was authorized by Congress in...
gave it the name "Allshouse Island", probably for Joseph Allshouse, a member of his crew.
External links
- http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-context=dt&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-CONTEXT=dt&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_P001&-tree_id=4001&-transpose=N&-redoLog=true&-all_geo_types=N&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=100$10000US530530724051013&-geo_id=100$10000US530530724051014&-geo_id=100$10000US530530724051015&-geo_id=100$10000US530530724051016&-geo_id=100$10000US530530724051017&-geo_id=100$10000US530530724051018&-geo_id=100$10000US530530724051019&-geo_id=100$10000US530530724051020&-search_results=15000US530530724051&-format=&-_lang=en&-show_geoid=YRaft Island: Blocks 1013 thru 1020, Census Tract 724.05, Pierce County, Washington] United States Census Bureau
- General population and housing data for Raft Island from the 2010 census.