Anderson Island (Washington)

The old Anderson Island School

Anderson Island is the southernmost island in Puget Sound and is part of Pierce County, Washington, United States. It is accessible by boat or a 20 minute ferry ride from Steilacoom. Anderson Island lies just south of McNeil Island. To the northwest Key Peninsula lies across Drayton Passage. The south basin of Puget Sound separates the island from the mainland to the southeast, while to the southwest the Nisqually Reach of Puget Sound separates the island from the mainland.

Geography

Anderson Island has a land area of 20.06 km² (7.746 sq mi), and reported a population of exactly 1,037 persons as of the 2010 census. The island had been a retirement destination since the late 1960s, with a median age of 54 years. The population booms every summer to approximately 4,000. The Island is also home to a healthy population of deer.

History

A farm on Anderson Island

The Anderson Island ferry loading dock at Yoman Road

The island was named in 1841 by Charles Wilkes of the United States Exploring Expedition. Given a warm reception at Fort Nisqually by Mr. Anderson and Captain McNeill, and assistance to aid his operations, Wilkes repaid the kindness by naming the two nearby islands after these two men.

In 1870, Andrew N. Christensen, a Dane, and his brother, Christian F. Christensen, were the first settlers to come to the island. Andrew's wife had a strong hand in the development of the island community. Christian was the only Christensen brother to permanently reside on Anderson Island. The primary industry was the sale of wood to the wood burning steamers that came into Amsterdam Bay. Other early industries included brick making, farming and fishing.

One General Store serves the needs of island residents. The store is run by Dr. & Mrs. Lake of Steilacoom, WA.

In 2004, National Recreational Properties, Inc. of Irvine, California purchased more than 100 vacant lots on the island in the range of $4,000 to $7,000. They created an infomercial and sold to out of state investors, most from California. Residents speculated that the lots would be sold for about $25,000. eventually more 300 lots were purchased, most selling for over $40,000.

Ferry

Accessible only by ferry, the Steilacoom / Anderson Island / Ketron Island run is the only run belonging to Pierce County. The ferry "Steilacoom II" was put into service in January 2007 to work side by side with the aging ferry "Christine Anderson". The ferry runs many times per day starting at 5:45 in the morning to 10:30 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (8:00 pm other nights).

Government

Fire District #27 and the Anderson Island Parks District are the only taxing districts that serve only Anderson Island.

The Steilacoom Historical School District serves Anderson Island. Children in grades K-5 attend school on the island, while children in grades 6-12 commute to the mainland each day. The Anderson Island School is designated a "remote and necessary" school by the State of Washington, one of the few remaining in the state.

Tanner Electric Co-op provides electrical power to Anderson Island via a submarine cable, which stretches across Nisqually Reach on the south end of the island and is at end of life. Rates go up each time a repair is needed.

Law enforcement is provided by the Pierce County Sheriff’s office.

Media

The Island Sounder, published by the Anderson Island Association, is the island's monthly newsletter. The News Tribune from Tacoma is available to subscribers.

In the movie WarGames, Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy take a ferry to Anderson Island, named "Goose Island" in the film.

See also

• List of islands of Washington State by population and area

External links

• Anderson Island Real Estate
• Anderson Island Links
• Anderson Island Community Club
• Anderson Island Citizens Advisory Board
• Anderson Island Weather
• Steilacoom School District