San Juan Island National Historical Park

San Juan Island National Historical Park in Friday Harbor, Washington, preserves one of the most unusual stories in American history. Established as a National Historical Park in 1966, the park commemorates the peaceful resolution of a boundary dispute between the United States and Great Britain that became known as the “Pig War.”

Reaching San Juan Island was part of the adventure. The ferry ride from Anacortes carried us through the beautiful waters of Puget Sound before arriving at Friday Harbor. As the island came into view, it was easy to appreciate why both the United States and Great Britain valued this remarkable place. Today, the peaceful scenery makes it difficult to imagine that these shores once stood on the brink of international conflict.

Following the Treaty of Oregon in 1846, the exact boundary through the San Juan Islands remained uncertain. Tensions simmered for more than a decade until June 1859, when an American farmer shot a British-owned pig that had wandered into his garden. What began as a disagreement over one animal quickly escalated into an international crisis. Both nations sent soldiers and warships to the island, bringing the United States and Great Britain to the brink of war.

Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed. Military leaders on both sides recognized that a war over a pig made little sense. Instead of fighting, the two countries agreed to a joint military occupation of the island that lasted for twelve years while diplomats worked toward a peaceful solution. In 1872, an international arbitration commission, led by German Emperor Wilhelm I, awarded the San Juan Islands to the United States, bringing the dispute to a peaceful conclusion.

Today, the park preserves both the American and British camps, along with sweeping saltwater shorelines, open prairies, and some of the last remaining native grasslands in the Puget Sound region. The scenery is every bit as memorable as the history.

Before visiting San Juan Island, I knew nothing about the Pig War. Yet this remarkable place demonstrates that not every important chapter in history is defined by battle. Sometimes the greatest achievement is preventing one. In a world where conflicts have too often been settled by force, San Juan Island reminds us that patience, diplomacy, and thoughtful leadership can change the course of history just as profoundly as victory on the battlefield.