LIC History
Longbranch and the Sea
The Only Way to Travel
Before automobiles became popular there were no roads leading to the remote forested tip of the Key Peninsula, but the area was accessible by sea.
And as the land of Longbranch was logged, ambitious immigrants settled the remote area, depending on boat traffic to and from Olympia, Steilacoom and Tacoma for connection with the outside world.
​
Early sternwheelers served as grocery boats as well as transportation for the agricultural products of the Peninsula; including eggs, milk, plums, apples, cherries, strawberries, and wild huckleberries.
The naturally protected waters of Filucy Bay provided an ideal location for Longbranch’s first wharf, built in 1885 to serve the south end of the Puget Sound. (The LIC’s Longbranch Marina still serves boaters at that same location today!)
Summer Home Destination
While the Puget Sound region developed through the early twentieth century, Longbranch gained a reputation as a pristine location for recreation and retreat. The famed Mosquito Fleet brought families from the mainland to rustic beachfront summer homes - from simple cabins to elaborate lodges, and even an ill-fated resort development.
​
Even as automobiles became popular, the wharf at Longbranch continued serving the community and the local farmers who needed to transport fragile fruit to the mainland markets. Though the county initially hesitated to build a new ferry serving the south Peninsula, they proceeded. The county commissioned a Gig Harbor boatyard to build the 82-foot diesel-powered Elk. Planning the new ferry and the four landings was accomplished by a partnership between the county commissioners, the Skansie brothers’ boatyard, and the leadership of the Longbranch Improvement Club.
Ferry Service Arrives
When the new ferry arrived in Longbranch on its inaugural voyage, the LIC arranged for a day of celebration. Fried chicken was served to 250 guests as dignitaries spoke the praises of modern transportation and commerce.
​
The Longbranch landing remained in service until the early 1950’s when the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge (“Galloping Gertie’s” replacement) made ferry service obsolete. The county commissioners refused to lease county tidelands and ferry dock to a private, for-profit venture, commenting, “if anyone is depriving the public of facilities to which the public is entitled, the practice should be stopped.” Members of the LIC rallied support for a new public pier.
​
The county engineers supplied plans for a suitable floating dock, but had no funds for such a project. The LIC called upon its members for cedar and fir logs, sawmilling, labor and cash donations. By late spring of 1959, the LIC had built and attached a 168-foot floating dock structure to the county’s wharf. Later that year, the county commissioners praised the LIC for its initiative in providing a much-needed facility.
Assuring Public Access
By 1981, the county’s desire for a marine park in the area and the LIC’s continued willingness to operate such a facility led to a formal agreement. The lease specified public access to the facility and allowed members of the LIC reserved moorage. In 1992, the LIC was granted additional easement in consideration of recreational use by the public, the public general welfare and the county’s desire to provide public access to marina facilities.
​
With two-thirds of the floating dock dedicated to public moorage, the Longbranch Marina provides residents and visiting boaters a unique recreational facility, at no cost to taxpayers. Following the policy of regional state and county marine facilities, guest moorage is allotted on a first-come basis. In 2005, the Marina moored over 1500 boats overnight with hundreds more day users, who use the facility for fresh water, garbage disposal and restrooms, all at no cost to taxpayers.