A little history…
The definitive history of Marrowstone Island can be found in the terrific book “Marrowstone” by islanders Karen Russell and Jeanne Bean and published by the Port Townsend Publishing Company. We thank them for being the source material of this post, and we’ll have a few copies of the book to peruse when you stop by the re-opened store for coffee! Also, check out the great archives of the Jefferson County Historical Society for articles and historical photographs.
The Nordland General Store (initially the Nordland Trading Company) began when islander Elmer Johnson launched the small trading post in conjunction with a ferry boat to operate between Nordland and Port Townsend in 1922. Goods including eggs, fresh produce, large scale shipments of strawberries, and of course passengers were traded back and forth.
In 1923, Elmer sold his small store and ferry boat to his older brother Harry, who built the larger store we see in photos on the banks of Mystery Bay today and expanded the ferry with service to Seattle for passengers and goods. New road projects began on the island in 1927 and continued for several years. When the work approached the Nordland Trading Company the store was moved back 15 feet from the shore, and the road (plus our parking area) was built twenty feet onto Mystery Bay.
The Nordland Trading Company was so named because of the barter system established by Harry Johnson during its early years. The local farmers and the members of the S'Klallam Tribe (who still lived at the north end of Indian Island near the entrance to Kilisut Harbor) exchanged their eggs and milk for feed and grain at Harry’s store. Members of the Johnson family still call Marrowstone Island home today.
Fun fact: During prohibition the Nordland Trading company was robbed of its safe. (Bootleggers, right?) The culprit absconded by boat and various papers from the safe were later found floating in Mystery Bay. Determined that the incident never be repeated, when Harry built the new store, he bought a large safe and built the store around it. The doors were constructed wide enough for people to pass through, but not the safe. The safe is no longer a part of the store, and most of our transactions today are electronic, not cash, barter, or even gold coins. (Although we’d exchange a gold coin for an ice cream sandwich if you really want it!)
A devastating fire on November 5, 2020, closed the store and left its future in doubt, especially with the retirement of long-time proprietors Tom and Sue Rose. That is, until the end of 2023, when our board, and investors, and members, and community, came together to renovate and reopen the best little rural island grocery in Jefferson County just in time for Tractor Days, 2024.