Harstine Island, Washington

Harstine Island (also known simply as Harstine or Harstene) is an island in Mason County, Washington, United States. The US Census recognizes it as an unincorporated community. The island is located west of Case Inlet in southern Puget Sound, 16 km (9.9 mi) north of Olympia. It has a land area of 48.305 km² (18.651 sq mi), and had a population of 1,002 as of the 2000 census.

Pickering Passage, to the northwest, separates the island from mainland, while Case Inlet, to the east, separates it from Key Peninsula. Squaxin Island lies to the southwest, separated by Peale Passage. To the south, Harstine Island is separated from the mainland by Dana Passage. The island is home to Jarrell Cove State Park and Harstine Island State Park.

History

On August 18, 1838 a group of ships led by commanding officer, U.S. Navy Lt. Charles Wilkes (1798–1877) and referred to as the Wilkes Expedition or the United States Exploring Expedition left from Hampton Roads in Virginia on the east coast of United States for a round the world expedition. In 1841 the expedition explored much of the west coast including Puget Sound. The island was named by Lt. Wilkes for Lt. Henry J. Hartstene ~1801–March 31, 1868. (or Hartstein).