Submitted by the Lopez Museum.
Lopez has always been a place of abundance. Since time immemorial, these lands and waters have been stewarded by Straits Salish peoples. As beneficiaries of homestead policies, settlers continued to work the land and sea for sustenance and trade, serving guests and locals from their kitchen tables and trades-camp stoves. As the settler industries of fishing, canning, timber and export farming dwindled in the early 20th century, so did the population.
Many people believe that Lopez exists outside contemporary trends, perhaps due to its insular nature as an island. The inaugural independent eatery on Lopez emerged in 1946, which was eighty years following the arrival of the initial European settlers. In the subsequent fifty-year period, the local economy gradually shifted towards tourism. Families residing on the island divided and marketed their land parcels to newcomers like vacation home owners, summer camp workers, individuals embracing simpler lifestyles, and those looking for retirement havens.
“Seizing Opportunities When the Sun Is Up: A Half-Century Chronicle of Restaurants from 1950 to 2000,” outlines how changes in demographics and development on Lopez can be understood through the story of the island’s eateries. Spanning long-standing establishments like The Islander and The Galley, to fleeting ventures, these dining spots have navigated the challenge of operating dual enterprises simultaneously—one during the bustling summer months and another during the quieter winters—all with just a single business budget.
The story of restaurants on Lopez is a story of development, gentrification, housing, resilience, celebration and community. Come learn more at the Lopez Museum, open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., now through October 26, 2025, located at 28 Washburn Place, Lopez Island, WA. For more information, visit lopezmuseum.org or call 360-468-2049.
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