Anderson Island has a land area of, and reported a population of 1,037 persons as of the 2010 census. The island has been a retirement destination since the late 1960s, with a median age of 54 years. The population booms every summer to approximately 4,000. The Island is also home to a sizable population of deer.
History
The island was named in 1841 by Charles Wilkes of the United States Exploring Expedition. Given a warm reception at Fort Nisqually by Mr. Anderson and Captain McNeill, and assistance to aid his operations, Wilkes repaid their kindness by naming the two nearby islands after these two men. In 1870, Andrew N. Christensen, a Dane, and his brother, Christian F. Christensen, were the first European settlers to stay at the island. Andrew's wife had a strong hand in the development of the island community. Christian was the only Christensen brother to reside permanently on Anderson Island. The primary industry was the sale of wood to the wood-burning steamers that came into Amsterdam Bay. Other early industries included brick making, farming and fishing. The only on the island is run by Dr. and Mrs. Lake of Steilacoom. In 2004, National Recreational Properties, Inc. of Irvine, California purchased more than 400 vacant lots on the island, paying roughly $4,000 to $7,000 per lot. They created an infomercial and sold to out-of-state investors, mostly from California. Residents speculated that the lots would be sold for about $25,000. Eventually more than 300 lots were sold, most selling for over $40,000.
Ferry
Accessible only by ferry or private boat, Anderson Island is served by the Steilacoom / Anderson Island / Ketron Island run, the only ferry run belonging to Pierce County. The ferry Steilacoom II was put into service in January 2007 to work with the aging ferry Christine Anderson. The ferry runs many times per day, starting at 5:45 in the morning, and going to 10:30 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Government
The Anderson Island Citizens Advisory Board is a governing advisory board reporting to the Pierce County Council, established by the Pierce County Council in 2004. Examples of its past actions include banning of boats with internal combustion engines from Lake Josephine, road repair and speed recommendations, as well as other matters common to governing Anderson Island. Fire District #27 and the Anderson Island Parks District are taxing districts that serve only Anderson Island. The Steilacoom Historical School District serves Anderson Island. Children in grades K–5 attend school on the island, while children in grades 6–12 commute to the mainland each day. The Anderson Island School is designated a "remote and necessary" school by the State of Washington, and is one of the few remaining such schools in the state. Tanner Electric Co-op provides electrical power to Anderson Island via a submarine cable. It extends across Nisqually Reach on the south end of the island and was replaced in 2010. Law enforcement is provided by the Pierce County Sheriff's office.
Media and Further Reading
The Island Sounder, published by the Anderson Island Association, is the island's monthly newsletter. The News Tribune from Tacoma is available to subscribers. In the movie WarGames, Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy take a ferry to Anderson Island, named "Goose Island, Oregon" in the film. They go to a log cabin owned by a person called "Stephen Falken." Heckman, Hazel, Island in the Sound, University of Washington Press Drawings by Helen Hiatt Heckman, Hazel, Island Year, University of Washington Press Drawings by Laurie Olin
