Mistaken Identity - #2 - Seattle's Alki Point or Orcas Island?

 At least one historical hard cover Seattle photo history book and a HistoryLink post on Alki Point have presented this image as 'A Outing near Alki Point', 1889.  (Alki Point is in Seattle)

When I saw both publications, the image didn't quite feel like Alki or anything near Seattle.  

The large hill or mountain in the background seemed too tall and too close to be in Seattle.  

Often telephoto lenses can squeeze elements together and bring mountains closer to the foreground, but I assume the photographer didn't have a 600mm lens in 1889, even on a view camera.  

So I posted the image on the Facebook group "Puget Sound and Surrounds."  Everyone who responded agreed it's definitely not Seattle.  Maybe Chuckanut Drive, Hood Canal or.. the San Juans? 

It was decided through similar photos and Google Earth that it was Orcas Island!  

Here's the results! 

Post by Emily Wilmot - 

Washingt

on Rural Heritage

Eastsound docks from hill, Orcas Island, Washington, April 1915 - Orcas Island Heritage - Washington Rural Heritage

Posted by:

Ivan Dennison

The rocks these people are sitting on are still there (as is the landing on the opposing shore) and visible just to the left of the icon for the Inn.

Mistaken Identity - Blake or Waadah Island?

 I follow the Facebook group History of Puget Sound and Arounds whose followers post common and sometimes less known PNW history photos.  

In November 2019, group admin shared a post from another FB group showing this postcard from the early 20th century showing 'Puget Sound Indians' on the beach after fishing. 

Group members felt the location was Blake Island, across from Seattle.

Right off, I knew it was Waadah Island, which borders Neah Bay.  I've surfed around Neah Bay for years so know the area well.  

When you enter Neah Bay, you can view Waadah Island as you just arrive in town.  The island was connected to the shoreline at some point thus protecting the bay and its fishing fleet from ocean swell.

Below is the postcard and post from the history group.  

Further below are images I found showing the island in different eras including (middle) the image from the book "The Sea is My Country."