San Juan Islands, Washington: The Pig War's Diplomatic Resolution

San Juan Islands, Washington. When things go as well as they did during the Pig War, it can be easy to forget just how wrong they could have gone. I asked former Chief of Interpretation and historian for the San Juan Island National Historic Park, Mike Voorhees, how the Pig War might have ended otherwise. Any an incident, any a hot-headed incident, an American soldier shooting a British naval officer or one of the Royal Marines that was on the ship. But Silas Casey was the American commander on site. TIMELINE 1812: and a prior treaty in 1818. 1814: during the War of 1812. 1848: they thought that they had pretty much settled the boundary with the Treaty of Oregon. 1853: And they set about turning San Juan Island into a massive corporate sheep farm. WHY THIS MATTERS The story of San Juan Islands is a reminder that the events that shaped America didn't always happen in the biggest cities. What unfolded here left marks on the community that are still visible today. The full story is more complicated, and more human, than the version most people know. Episode 87 | Hometown History | Hosted by Shane Waters If you liked this: Episode 85 (Desolation Peak, Washington) Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-historyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy