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Welcome... You've found one of Washington's best kept secrets... Vashon Island. Just a short 15 minute ferry ride from Seattle, Tacoma, or Southworth and you're in a completely different world -- a small, quaint community located in the very heart of Puget Sound. Relaxed, rural, and friendly, Vashon Island is a place where people get to know each other and take pride in keeping the Island the very special place its always been. Vashon seems to be an Island lost in time. Located close to two major metropolitan cities, Seattle to the north and Tacoma to the south, but light years removed from the city's hectic pace. Meander down a quiet country road.... Discover an old light-house... Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy wandering around Burton peninsula... Hunt for souvenirs or antiques... It is a truly unique experience.
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Burton BeachThe Village of Burton is a cozy community located in the southern half of the island. Once there you are within easy walking distance to an art gallery, corner store, Espresso stand, post office, Quartermaster Marina, and Burton Acres Park. The people that live is this area are warm, friendly, & enthusiastic about their surroundings. Return to top. |
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Pattison HouseWake up in this cozy 3 bedroom, 2 bath Cape Cod style waterfront home. Sip morning coffee on the upper deck while enjoying panoramic views of pristine Quartermaster Harbor. This home sleeps six comfortably and features a woodstove, two decks, TV with a VCR, fully equipped kitchen, and unbeatable views to the south. The rent is as follows: $150 per night, or $1,050 per week. Click here for our Rental Agreement. |
The Silver PlumeThis is why we come to the Island, to get away from it all. Here is a cozy, tranquil setting just steps from the beach. This romantic cottage features two bedrooms and one bath. It has a large deck, fireplace, and a fully equipped kitchen. It sleeps four comfortably. The rent is as follows: $140 per night, or $980 per week. Click here for our Rental Agreement. Return to top. |
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ActivitiesVashon Island is often referred to as "the heart of Puget Sound". There
are several art galleries, restaurants, shops, and miles of lightly traveled
backroads to explore on foot or bike. Below are just a few things to do
during your visit. One of the most enjoyable activities is to walk or ride through the center
of Burton Peninsula. Fortunately the Burton Acres Park is less than a
1/2 mile from the cottages. Enter a forest cathedral, almost a century
old. The deeply furrowed bark of the old Douglas firs leads your eyes
upwards. Between the pillarlike trunks, neat clusters of sword fern and
Oregon grape are arranged like offerings. Walk silently on paths filled
with fir needles. The bigleaf maples grow multiple trunks like candelabras.
The northern section has an open and spacious feel. The squat stumps with their rectangular springboard holes look like sylvan dwarves in a Disney cartoon. Fallen giant trees show the shallow root system of the Douglas firs and how easily they are uprooted in winter windstorms. As you take the loop trail, you'll notice subtle changes. In the western section, English ivy has invaded from the bordering neighborhoods, threatening to engulf the shrubbery and stumps. The brush, too, is higher, composed of blackberry and nettle, and the trees trunks are smaller. A gentle decline in the trail takes you back into the past, back into the cathedral of older trees. There are two antique shops worth your browsing. The first is Kingfisher Mercantile & Owen's Antiques, located in downtown Vashon. Kingfisher Mercantile features a wonderful collection of old and new, hand-selected European and American antiques and vintage furniture. They can be reached at 463-6666. The second store, Owen's Antiques & Decorative Arts is located on the main highway in an area called Valley Center. The store is clearly one of the Northwest's best antique shops! Eleven rooms full of 19th century antiques. Specializing in American furniture, early English ceramics, quilts, oriental rugs, Indian baskets, etc. They can be reached at 463-5193. Two art galleries exist for your consideration. The Blue Heron Art Gallery,
located on the main highway, features monthly exhibits by local and regional
artists. There are year round concerts, theater, dances, art classes,
literary workshops and more. Located at 19704 Vashon Highway SW, or by
phone at 463-5131. Silverwood Gallery in historic Burton showcases fine and functional contemporary art by national and regional artists. Across from Quartermaster Harbor, the gallery occupies the entire first floor of the landmarked Masonic Temple. Exhibits range from large sculpture to woodworking to fine oil paintings. Located at 24927 Vashon Highway SW, or by phone at 463-1722. Granny's Attic is the ultimate thrift shop. Browse for bargains in the friendly atmosphere of the store. Outfit the family, furnish your home, or find a good book. Vashon theatre is a great place to take in a movie. Located in downtown Vashon, call for a recorded message of current films and show times. Located on the corner of 176th and Vashon Highway, and available by phone at 463-3232 (or 463-6845 after 7 PM). Seattle's Best Coffee -- Inhale fresh roasted coffee as you walk through the door of this roasterie in a turn of the century building. Wander through the coffee museum or sit on the front porch with a fresh cup of java and watch the rest of the world go by. Tours by appointment -- located at 19529 Vashon Hwy SW or by phone at 463-3932. Vashon Island Bicycles -- Raleigh, Pro-Flex, Haro and Nishiki are among the bikes available for sale or rent at this unique island shop. The shop carries a large stock of parts and accessories. Two owner/mechanics have lived on Vashon a combined 45 years and provide prompt and thorough service. Stop by for free trail maps. Located at 17232 Vashon Hwy SW #A, or by phone at 463-6225. Vashon Island Kayak -- Sea Kayak daily rentals, instruction, trips and sales all year round. Hourly weekend rentals, June 1st to September 15th at Jensen Point/Burton Acres Park, 10-5 PM. Send for a free brochure and paddling map -- PO Box 908, Vashon, WA 98070, or by phone at 463-9257. Return to top. |
DirectionsThe only way to venture to Vashon Island is to get on a boat -- a private boat or a Washington State Ferry. There are four ways to come by ferry. You can take a passenger-only boat from Coleman Dock in downtown Seattle or you can drive on a ferry at Fauntleroy in West Seattle. You can follow directions from State Route 16 on the Kitsap Peninsula and take a ferry from Southworth. You can also come via Tacoma. The ferry dock is by Point Defiance Zoo. You only have to pay to get to Vashon -- it's free to leave the island. From Sea-Tac Airport to Fauntleroy Ferry Dock in West Seattle: Exit Airport onto Highway 518 West. Continue to the community of Burien. Highway 518 ends and becomes 148th Street. Continue on 148th to right on Ambawm Way (Ambawm becomes 164th Ave. SW). Go to left on Roxbury. Turn right onto 35th Ave SW. Turn left onto Barton. Barton becomes Wildwood and winds its way down to the water and Fauntleroy Ferry dock. Please look for the line (if there is one) and find the end of it. From West Seattle, take the Fauntleroy ferry to Vashon Island. Once on the north end of the island, follow the main road south. This is Vashon Highway SW. Stay on this road for 9 miles. Go through three 4-way stops. At the fourth 4-way stop (Burton), turn left onto SW Burton Drive. Now take the next available right onto 99th Ave SW. Again take the next available right onto SW Governors Lane. That puts you on a dead end road. The Silver Plume is half way down this road and the Pattison House is the second home from the end of this road. From the Olympic Peninsula: Take the Southworth Ferry just south and east of Port Orchard. Going south on Highway 16, turn west on Sedgewick Road and continue to the ferry dock. Take the ferry to Vashon Island and follow the directions from the north end of the island that were given above. Passenger only from Seattle: It is possible to get to and around Vashon Island by public transportation. There are no cars on this ferry, just walk-ons. The passenger only ferry leaves Coleman Dock in downtown Seattle and lands on the north end of Vashon where you can catch a Metro bus. Also you may walk onto the car ferry if you desire. From Tacoma: Take the Pt. Defiance Ferry to the south end of Vashon Island. Follow the main road north. This is Vashon Highway SW. Stay on the road for 4.8 miles. You will come to a 4-way stop (Burton). Turn right onto SW Burton Drive. Take the next available right onto 99th Ave SW. Again take the next available right onto SW Governors Lane. That puts you on a dead end road. The Silver Plume is half way down the road and the Pattison House is the second home from he end of this road. Return to top. |
HistoryVashon Island was discovered by Captain George Vancouver on May 28, 1792, who named this glacial formed bit of land in honor of his friend, Captain James Vashon. It was first inhabited by the Shomamish Tribe whose longhouses dotted the shore of now Quartermaster Harbor, and the Squawpabsh Tribe that lived near Tahlequah, at the Southern tip of Vashon. After it was discovered, early settlers homesteaded and supported themselves by farming and logging. As the population grew, agriculture, logging, fishing, shipbuilding, and brick-making flourished. Rowboats, sailboats, and steamers provided transportation links between the Island and Seattle, Tacoma, and Kitsap. Today nearly 10,000 people make their homes on these 37 square miles of rural paradise.
Our family has been coming to Vashon Island since the early 1930's. My Grandpa discovered Burton Beach while he was cruising out of Tacoma in a large yacht named the Mirmar. The yacht was owned by my great uncle Harry Fisher, who was married to my Grandpa's sister Viola. Uncle Harry owned Fisher Department store in Tacoma as well as various real estate. When my Grandpa first saw Burton Beach he knew it would be a fantastic place to vacation in the summer. From 1930 to 1932 his family rented a house on the beach. In 1933, he bough the house that is still in our family today. It is used by aunts, uncles, cousins, and immediate family each summer. The different families rotate through at two week intervals. This is usually the only time we see our extended family.
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Meet the Owners
The Schwaegler Family This is a picture of my family sitting on the bulkhead next to the Pattison House. Since this picture was taken a few years ago, the family has added a new member. It will continue to grow through the years. Since we all lead very busy lives and live all over the world, Burton Beach is the only place that the whole family comes together each year. It is what makes this spot even more special. Maybe your family would like to start a tradition on Burton Beach! Return to top. |
M.V. Vashon
Island, first of the cross-Sound auto ferries, ran from Des Moines
to Portage, in 1916. She later ran on Lake Washington, as the MERCER,
and in Los Angeles, California, as the ISLANDER. She made the trip
from Puget Sound to San Pedro in record time, under tow, in 1941.
On December 25, 1974, she burned at Long Beach, Ca., a truly historic
vessel.
As
the family continued to grow, my grandpa had another house built behind
the main one, so he could escape for peace and quiet during the summer
months. The older we became, the more we realized how valuable the beach
was to our family. So in the late 1980's, we were fortunate enough to
purchase the Pattison House and the Silver Plume. We use them now as vacation
rentals and have watched new families through the years enjoy the beach
as much as we have.