Submitted by Washington State Parks

Washington State Parks and the Alberg and Johanson families are pleased to announce the state’s purchase of the 134-acre Point Lawrence property at the eastern end of Orcas Island. This purchase adds to the existing Obstruction Pass State Park.

The property is heavily wooded with 1,380 feet of high bank waterfront on the north side and stunning views to the north, east and south. The purchase is particularly significant because it connects and provides access to two low bank waterfront properties at the point and to the south currently owned by Washington State Parks with several pocket beaches. By acquiring this property, the State will now own one contiguous area that contains all of Point Lawrence.

The property originally was purchased by Thomas Alberg, Sr, and Alvin Johansen in 1960. The previous owner homesteaded the property in 1908. Tom Alberg, son of Thomas Alberg, Sr., said: “Our families are delighted that the properties will now be open to the public and preserved in perpetuity for Orcas residents and visitors to enjoy.”

The property is home to wildlife, trees (fir, cedar, hemlock, broadleaf maple, madrona) and vegetation such as foxglove, wild blackberry and salal. There is a meadow where the remnants of the original homestead are located and two ponds.