San Juan Islands: The Pig War That Nearly Started a US-British Conflict

San Juan Islands, Washington. Have you ever had a fight with a family member over something stupid? Better yet, have you ever had that fight only to realize it wasn't so stupid after all? That behind that excuse for a fight was a real fight just waiting to be had? That's basically the story of the Pig War. Yes, the Pig War, which happened between the Pork and Beans War and the Fenian War, of course. And yes, those are all real wars. They all took place around the American border of modern-day Canada.

TIMELINE
1776: The United States had declared independence from Britain in 1776 and then fought an eight-year war against its former king.
1812: After the War of 1812, the border was set between the United States and the British possessions.
1839: The Pork and Beans War was a border dispute in the state of Maine involving Canadian and American lumberjacks feuding over jurisdiction in 1839.
1858: In 1858, gold was discovered in the Fraser River Valley of British Columbia.

WHY THIS MATTERS
The story of San Juan Islands is a reminder that the events that shaped America didn't always happen in the biggest cities. What unfolded here left marks on the community that are still visible today. The full story is more complicated, and more human, than the version most people know.

Episode 86 | Hometown History | Hosted by Shane Waters

If you liked this: Episode 87 (San Juan Islands, Washington)

Hometown History explores forgotten stories from small-town America. The overlooked events, hidden triumphs, and buried tragedies that shaped the country we live in. New episodes every Tuesday. Find every episode at mythsandmalice.com/hometown-history

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