roche harbor’s unique sense of place

The story of Roche Harbor began more than 200 years ago, in 1787, when Captain de Haro and his crew became the first Europeans to actually sail among the forested San Juan Islands.

In 1886, John McMillin transformed a sleepy Hudson Bay camp into a full-fledged lime works and company town with a population bigger than Friday Harbor (800+ residents).

Seven decades later, the Tarte Family restored buildings to function and cleared the way for Roche Harbor’s metamorphosis into a boatel and resort.

Since then, the resort has returned to its community-centered roots with the reestablishment of neighborhoods and a village center.