Once inhabited by members of the Lower Skagit, Swinomish, Suquamish and Snohomish tribes, Whidbey Island was discovered in 1792 by Joseph Whidbey, master of H.M.S. Discovery under the command of Captain George Vancouver. Whidbey, along with Peter Puget began to map and explore the areas of Puget Sound in May of that year. Whidbey circumnavigated Whidbey Island in June, and Vancouver named it after him.

Life on the island went without change for almost half a century after Vancouver's arrival. Native people continued life in their traditional ways. In 1841, Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, sailed into Penn Cove and found the largest Indian settlement of Puget Sound, noting that a mission had been started with a two acre fenced garden.

In 1850, Isaac Ebey settled on the island. A month later three more men took up claims on the prairie. Mrs. Ebey, her children, and another family arrived in 1851. As time passed more settlers arrived each year, most of them taking up claims on the prairie. Thomas Coupe, a sea captain, took up a claim in 1852 in Penn's Cove and it was on this property that Coupeville, one of the oldest towns in the state, was founded. People continued to settle on the island, and by the1870's there were several prosperous communities.

Fort Casey was built in 1890 to defend Admiralty Inlet, as part of the "Triangle of Fire" with Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island, and Fort Worden on the Quimper Peninsula, that could theoretically thwart any invasion attempt by sea.

Today Whidbey Island is a place to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the country. Taking in the majestic views of the Olympic mountains, and activities like sport fishing are just a few of the attractions. Visitors can explore Fort Casey on their own, which is now a 467-acre marine camping park, or you can check out Coupeville's well preserved Victorian mansions, originally built by wealthy sea captains. The history of Whidbey Island is still alive and well today.