Both American and British camps, built in the late 1800s on Washington State's San Juan Island, have been preserved as a National Historic Landmark by the National Parks Service. Because of the history here, the British Camp is the only park setting in American that flies the Union Jack.
   In part of a territory dispute at this remote outpost, the killing of a pig prompted both sides to set up garrisons on the island. Beforehand, in 1846, British and American diplomats agreed to establish the 49th parallel as an international boundary. But what the agreement failed to address was ownership of the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound. What is known as the Pig War, British, as well as American warships and troops were sent to the area. Once they occupied the island, the two sides braced for a 12 year stand-off.
   A peaceful settlement was finally arranged by Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany. And thanks to William and Mary Crook, British immigrants, the English Camp survives today. The Crooks moved in shortly after the Royal Marines moved out. The Crook family continued living on the site until 1972, when the last surviving child passed away. The family’s livelihood was based on fruit trees, and family members tended a good size garden and orchard. At first, the Crooks lived in several military buildings. Their son, Jim, tended the garrison’s formal garden. Once a pleasant reminder of home for the British troops, today’s garden has been modeled after historic photos of the fort. The San Juan Island National Historic Park is open for day use, and several trails introduce visitors to the two camps and sights along Garrison Bay.

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