Van Olinda's History of Vashon-Maury Island by pioneer resident O.S. Van Olinda, compiled and edited by regional historian Roland N. Carey, is a 1985 local history that preserves the foundational settlement narrative of this prominent Puget Sound island community. Based largely on Van Olinda’s early 20th-century writings and personal reminiscences, the volume chronicles the transformation of Vashon and its connected neighbor, Maury Island, from dense, remote timberlands into a thriving agricultural hub. The book meticulously details early logging operations, the booming greenhouse and strawberry farming industries, and the profound reliance on the "Mosquito Fleet" steamers that bridged the geographical isolation between the islanders, Seattle, and Tacoma. Ultimately, it serves as an indispensable, primary-source-driven resource for local historians seeking an intimate, grassroots perspective on the pioneer families, civic development, and resilient maritime culture that shaped the heart of Puget Sound.

History, Maury Island (Wash.) History, Vashon Island (Wash.) History, Vashon, Île (Wash.) Histoire, Washington (State) Maury Island, Washington (State) Vashon Island

A revision of O.S. Van Olinda's History of Vashon-Maury Islands published in 1935--IntroIncludes index

A revision of O.S. Van Olinda's History of Vashon-Maury Islands published in 1935--IntroIncludes index