This collection of Maps of Orcas and the San Juan Islands began when the Orcas Island Historical Museums asked me, years ago, to reproduce the Wilkes 1841 map. This early rendition of the islands has a unique and notorious feature: two imaginary islands (Gordon and Adolphus) were inserted above Orcas. The crew, who were badly mistreated by captain Wilkes, thought that this error might topple the reputation and career of their cruel boss. Nope.
Maps, while seemingly objective representations, are actually mirrors of the world view and intent of their creator. The Wilkes map has depth soundings that are of great value for navigation. The Kimple maps joyously cartoon the charms and occupations of island living while not attempting to correctly locate or shape our hilly terrain. The comparison images of the extent of development in the core of the Village of Eastsound in 1889, 1976, 2003 and 2020 reveal our patterns of development. Each map offers a unique and fascinating look at a certain aspect of our oddly shaped islands, be it the geology or the history. Enjoy!
