Shell Middens

As you travel along the scenic coasts of Vashon taking in the beauty of the tall pines and rocky beaches, you may have notice strange areas full of white shells. Well, these phenomenon are not natural. In fact, they are quite the opposite. They are actually referred to as Shell Middens. A Midden is a fancy name for an old dump. For the Native American tribes that lived on Vashon some 200 years ago, these were places to drop shells, human waste, animal bones, and other unused materials. Shell Middens are crucial to understanding the diets and lifestyles of early Americans. Unfortunately, Middens are becoming less and less common due to the erosion of the land that they are on. Thus, archaeologists are eager to find out all that they can from these Middens on Vashon and throughout the Puget Sound before they completely disappear. So, as you paddle around be sure to look out for these strips of shells and imagine what life may have been like when they were being created. 

     For a detailed look at the middens on Vashon you can turn to Laura S. Phillips & Julie K. Stein’s 2003 book Vashon ISland Archaeology: A View from Burton Acres Shell Midden (Burke’s Museum of Natural History and Culture Report, No. 8). Which can be found at your local King County Library.

A Ferry Tale

What is the one thing that we, on Vashon Island, have in common? Ferries. Whether they are used for your daily commute or an occasional foray into the city, we rely heavily on our ferry system. It can be frustrating when the ferries are down, but thus far we have not had it as bad as islanders at the end of 1940’s. Prior to 1948 the ferries were run through a private company, the Puget Sound Navigation Company. The company was forced into a shutdown during a strike in 1947. During the period of the strike vashonites were forced to find their own solutions for getting off of the island. This resulted in them creating their own ferry system which became the first, and only, King County Ferry District.

During the ferry district’s first year in service, the captain of the Puget Sound Navigation Company attempted to land a ship at the dock to continue providing service to Vashon Island. As he attempted to dock he was met with 25 angry vashonites equipped with pool cues, ax handles, and other tools to push the ship away from the dock.. They successfully kept his ship from being able to tie up and the Puget Sound Navigation Company never provided another ship to Vashon. This ferry district was in place for three years, and it ran with relative success. It eventually was dissolved in 1951 when the State of Washington created their own ferry system, which is still the same system we use today. Ironically, they provided service to Vashon using ships they bought from the Puget Sound Navigation Company. 

For a more detailed account of the Vashon ferry debacle visit: https://historylink.org/File/3731

Nifty Drifty

     Along our shores there is an abundance of driftwood to be seen. In some areas, the wood has piled up to become a natural playground of sorts. Though the wood looks as if it is just sitting on our shores, it actually serves a very important purpose. Driftwood is essential for many plants and animals. Plants, just like any tree, grow plentiful on driftwood. In addition, animals use it for shelter and herons even leave eggs in the wood for protection. 

     Secondly, driftwood is essential to shaping our shorelines. As wood hits up against the shore, it naturally carves out corners and edges. This naturally reshaping of the soil is essential to maintaining the ecosystem. Driftwood is beautiful and an important aspect of our Northwest Ecosystem.