Port Townsend in Jefferson County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Canoes Were Made Of Locally Available Materials

Coast Salish Canoe Culture

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

1. Canoes Were Made Of Locally Available Materials Marker

Inscription.

The S'Klallam people made their canoes from Western Red Cedar trees ranging from 300-800 years of age. Seats and brackets were made of Yew wood, and paddles carved from Yellow Cedar.

Canoes Came In All Sizes

A freight canoe of good size had a carrying capacity of 5 tons. The general family/transportation canoes of the coast ranged from 18 to 35 feet, able to hold up to fifteen people, and weighed about 3 tons. Smaller, round bottom canoes were used for river travel.

Navigation

Traveling throughout the Salish Sea, these Native seafarers were masters of reading the sea and navigating from place to place.

[Photo captions not legible in photo]

Erected by Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and Northwest Maritime Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 48° 6.967′ N, 122° 45.115′ W. Marker is in Port Townsend, Washington, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Water Street east of Monroe Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the passageway at the Northwest Maritime Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 431 Water Street, Port Townsend WA 98368, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

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other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The S'Klallams, The Strong People (here, next to this marker); The Unique Coast Salish Design (here, next to this marker); Intertribal Trade (here, next to this marker); Trade With Newcomers (here, next to this marker); InterTribal Canoe Journey (here, next to this marker); Chief Chetzemoka (here, next to this marker); Partnering With The Northwest Maritime Center With A Shared Respect For The Sea (here, next to this marker); Honoring Eleanor Stopps (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Townsend.

Also see . . .
1. Coast Salish Canoe Construction. Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe website entry (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. Northwest Maritime Center. Website homepage (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Coast Salish Canoe Culture Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

2. Coast Salish Canoe Culture Markers

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

3. Coast Salish Canoe Culture Markers

Looking toward Water Street

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.