Jackson Beach Cannery

On Thursday, October 30, 2025, the Port of Friday Harbor Commission closed the purchase of the historic JJ Theodore Cannery and the surrounding 2.12-acre parcel for $1.44 million. Located on Griffin Bay at the western edge of Jackson Beach, this impressive structure once operated as an independent salmon cannery. Built around 1950 by John Jackson, first as a smokehouse and later as a cannery. It was later sold to John J. Theodore in the 1970s. The facility was a major employer for islanders in summer, employing up to 100 workers during its heyday, many of whom worked the so-called “slime line” into the mid-1990s.

The Port will be accepting public written input and will also hold public meetings to determine how best to meet the three Port Commission objectives for the property. Those objectives are:

1. Create year-round living wage jobs
2. Provide public access to the waterfront
3. Protect and restore the environment

There is a fair bit of work to be done to adjust the property zoning to allow the maximum possible uses. Changing to the correct land use designation takes time. It is estimated that it may take 2 years (or more) before the plans and permitting allow the project to truly move forward.

However, public input about what islanders would like the property to become will make the planning process much more efficient and hopefully produce viable ideas that can be incorporated into future plans.

It is anticipated that the commission will commence the planning process mid-2026 with open public meetings benefiting from all of the received comments. Due to zoning the property is currently not open to the public.