Orcas Village, Washington
Encyclopedia
Orcas Village is an unincorporated community
located at southeastern corner of the West Sound watershed on Orcas Island
in San Juan County, Washington, United States
. It is where the Washington State Ferry
lands on the island, and consequently handles all vehicular traffic to and from the island.
While the island can also be accessed by Orcas Island Airport
or by private boats, the ferry connection means that most people enter and leave the island through this small village, which consequently has several restaurants and souvenir stands. It is also home to the Orcas Hotel—built 1904 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
since 1982—and also has a small public dock and private marina, a fuel dock and storage tanks, and parking for islanders who commute off-island by ferry. It is designated for future commercial growth as an activity center under San Juan County's comprehensive plan.
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...
located at southeastern corner of the West Sound watershed on Orcas Island
Orcas Island
Orcas Island is the largest of the San Juan Islands, which are located in the northwestern corner of Washington state in San Juan County, Washington.-History:...
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...
. It is where the Washington State Ferry
Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries is a passenger and automobile ferry service owned and operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation that serves communities on Puget Sound and in the San Juan Islands. It is the most used ferry system in the world and the largest passenger and automobile...
lands on the island, and consequently handles all vehicular traffic to and from the island.
While the island can also be accessed by Orcas Island Airport
Orcas Island Airport
Orcas Island Airport is a public airport located one nautical mile north of the central business district of Eastsound on Orcas Island in San Juan County, Washington, United States.Although most U.S...
or by private boats, the ferry connection means that most people enter and leave the island through this small village, which consequently has several restaurants and souvenir stands. It is also home to the Orcas Hotel—built 1904 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
since 1982—and also has a small public dock and private marina, a fuel dock and storage tanks, and parking for islanders who commute off-island by ferry. It is designated for future commercial growth as an activity center under San Juan County's comprehensive plan.
External links
- Orcas Village Planning, San Juan County Community Development and Planning Department—Long-Range Planning, includes links to several detailed maps and planning documents.