Roche Harbor, Washington
Encyclopedia
Roche Harbor is a sheltered harbor
on the northwest side of San Juan Island
in San Juan County, Washington, United States
, and the site of a resort of the same name. Roche Harbor sits along Haro Strait
and Canada – United States border. The harbor itself provides one of the better protected anchorages in the islands. The harbor is surrounded on the east side by San Juan Island, on the north side by Pearl Island, and on the west and south sides by Henry Island
. Most of the harbor is 35 to 45 feet (11 to 14 meters) deep. Roche Harbor has a small airport used primarily by local residents.
The Roche Harbor marina is a designated port of entry
for pleasure boats and is considered to be one of the best marinas in the Western United States. A customs dock occupies a section of the marina, with Customs and Border Protection
agents on duty during summer months. When agents are not on duty, arriving boaters must call Customs and Border Protection from the Customs Dock.
in 1846 and Captain James Charles Prevost
in 1857–60.
The resort was formerly a company town
surrounding the Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company, which was incorporated in 1886. Lime
production was a major industry and revenue source for a corporation run by John S. McMillin, whose ashes are buried in a large mausoleum
nearby. The focal point of the resort is the historic Hotel de Haro.
Harbor
A harbor or harbour , or haven, is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial...
on the northwest side of San Juan Island
San Juan Island
San Juan Island is the second-largest and most populous of the San Juan Islands in northwestern Washington, United States. It has a land area of 142.59 km² and a population of 6,822 as of the 2000 census....
in San Juan County, Washington, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and the site of a resort of the same name. Roche Harbor sits along Haro Strait
Haro Strait
Haro Strait, often referred to as the Haro Straits because it is really a series of straits, is one of the main channels connecting the Strait of Georgia to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, separating Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in British Columbia, Canada from the San Juan Islands of...
and Canada – United States border. The harbor itself provides one of the better protected anchorages in the islands. The harbor is surrounded on the east side by San Juan Island, on the north side by Pearl Island, and on the west and south sides by Henry Island
Henry Island (Washington)
Henry Island is one of the San Juan Islands of San Juan County, Washington, USA. It lies just off the northwest shore of San Juan Island. The small Pearl Island also lies between Henry Island and San Juan Island at its northern end. Just northwest of the northern tip of Henry Island lies Battleship...
. Most of the harbor is 35 to 45 feet (11 to 14 meters) deep. Roche Harbor has a small airport used primarily by local residents.
The Roche Harbor marina is a designated port of entry
Port of entry
In general, a port of entry is a place where one may lawfully enter a country. It typically has a staff of people who check passports and visas and inspect luggage to assure that contraband is not imported. International airports are usually ports of entry, as are road and rail crossings on a...
for pleasure boats and is considered to be one of the best marinas in the Western United States. A customs dock occupies a section of the marina, with Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs and immigration. CBP is the...
agents on duty during summer months. When agents are not on duty, arriving boaters must call Customs and Border Protection from the Customs Dock.
History
Roche Harbor was named in honor of Richard Roche, who served under British Captain Henry KellettHenry Kellett
Vice Admiral Sir Henry Kellett KCB was a British naval officer and explorer.-Naval career:Kellett joined the Royal Navy in 1822...
in 1846 and Captain James Charles Prevost
James Charles Prevost
James Charles Prevost was an admiral in the British Royal Navy.He was born in Bedhampton, Hampshire, England and joined the navy in 1823 and by 1850 was a Commander aboard the HMS Portland, flagship of Rear Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby, whose daughter he married on 18 October 1842, they had five...
in 1857–60.
The resort was formerly a company town
Company town
A company town is a town or city in which much or all real estate, buildings , utilities, hospitals, small businesses such as grocery stores and gas stations, and other necessities or luxuries of life within its borders are owned by a single company...
surrounding the Tacoma and Roche Harbor Lime Company, which was incorporated in 1886. Lime
Lime (mineral)
Lime is a general term for calcium-containing inorganic materials, in which carbonates, oxides and hydroxides predominate. Strictly speaking, lime is calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. It is also the name for a single mineral of the CaO composition, occurring very rarely...
production was a major industry and revenue source for a corporation run by John S. McMillin, whose ashes are buried in a large mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
nearby. The focal point of the resort is the historic Hotel de Haro.
External links
- Roche Harbor history
- Roche Harbor web cam