Marrowstone, Washington
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Marrowstone is a census-designated place located in Jefferson County, Washington, USA. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 837. All Marrowstone addresses are in Nordland, Washington, and the ZIP Code for Marrowstone Island is 98358.
Marrowstone takes its name from Marrowstone Point, the northernmost point on Marrowstone Island; it was given that name in 1792 by British explorer George Vancouver, supposedly for the deposits of marrowstone in its sandy cliffs.
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Geography
WAMap-doton-Marrowstone.png
Location of Marrowstone, Washington
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 16.4 km² (6.3 mi²). 16.4 km² (6.3 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Prominent land features include:
- Marrowstone Point, at the northern end of Marrowstone Island;
- Nodule Point, at the southern end of the island;
- Mystery Bay, an inlet on the western side of Marrowstone Island;
- Griffiths Point, on the western side of Mystery Bay;
- East Beach, a sandy beach at the northern end of East Marrowstone Road; and
- Scow Bay/Kilisut Harbor, which separates Marrowstone Island from its western neighbor, Indian Island, a Navy ammunition depot.
A narrow land bridge connects the southwestern end of Marrowstone Island with the southern end of Indian Island. It is necessary to cross a short bridge on the western side of Indian Island to get to the Jefferson County mainland.
Fort Flagler, a Washington state park, is situated on 784 acres at the northern end of Marrowstone Island. It overlooks Port Townsend Bay and Admiralty Inlet, the entrance to Puget Sound. Fort Flagler was one of three forts, along with Fort Worden (near Port Townsend) and Fort Casey (on Whidbey Island), that guarded the entrance to Puget Sound. Mystery Bay State Park is another state park on Marrowstone Island, located on 10 acres of Mystery Bay shorefront about a half-mile north of the Nordland General Store. It is primarily for boaters.
Flagler Road (SR 116) runs along the western edge of Marrowstone Island, which is primarily low-lying. East Marrowstone Road runs along the eastern edge of the island, which consists largely of sandy bluffs, with the exception of the area near East Beach.
The Nordland General Store is Marrowstone's only source of groceries and gasoline. It is arguably the focal point of Marrowstone; on maps the town of Nordland (the address of all Marrowstone residents) is usually located at the site of the Nordland General Store. It can be found just across Flagler Road from Mystery Bay, near the center of Marrowstone Island.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 837 people, 395 households, and 263 families residing in the CDP. The population density is 51.1/km² (132.4/mi²). There are 528 housing units at an average density of 32.3/km² (83.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP is 96.89% White, 0.00% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 2.03% from two or more races. 1.43% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 395 households out of which 18.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.0% are married couples living together, 4.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% are non-families. 26.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.12 and the average family size is 2.54.
In the CDP the population is spread out with 15.2% under the age of 18, 2.4% from 18 to 24, 18.0% from 25 to 44, 36.2% from 45 to 64, and 28.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 52 years. For every 100 females there are 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP is $38,182, and the median income for a family is $41,607. Males have a median income of $36,250 versus $26,607 for females. The per capita income for the CDP is $22,028. 4.0% of the population and 0.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 0.0% of those under the age of 18 and 12.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Cultural events
Polar Bear Dip
At noon on every January 1 since 1994, residents and visitors have gathered on the dock in front of the Nordland General Store for the Polar Bear Dip, organized by store owner Tom Rose. Water temperatures are in the forties (Fahrenheit) and air temperatures are about the same.
Firecrackers are lit by Jerry Rowe, traditionally shortly before noon, to encourage newcomers to jump early. T-shirts are printed each year to commemorate the event.
Strawberry Festival
For approximately 100 years, Marrowstone has held its annual Strawberry Festival in June. Residents and visitors enjoy strawberry shortcake at Fort Flagler.
Strawberries were once grown all over Marrowstone and can be found growing wild on the island.
Annual Tractor Parade
Every Memorial Day weekend, island residents bring their tractors to parade them in front of the Nordland General Store.
External links
- Fort Flagler (http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Fort+Flagler&pageno=1)