Deception Pass boat tour, part 2

An interesting stop on the boat tour is to look at the remains of a state prison camp on the cliffs of Fidalgo Island. The prison camp was in operation from 1910 t0 1914. About 40 prisoners on an honors release program from the Walla Walla prison were housed nearby and worked the quarry. The quarried rock was taken by barge to be used on the Seattle waterfront.




The quarry was dismantled in 1924 and the lumber used to form ferry slips and cottages. The cave was tempting to adventurers and after a fatal fall, the entrance was barred.

This photo was shown on the tour, giving an idea of the quarry in operation. The quarry was long before the Deception Pass bridge was built in the 1930s. You can find out more information on the prison quarry here.