History
The Roche Harbor Yacht Club is an unincorporated. non-profit organization "which had Its origin about 1906" according to Ruben J. Tarte. It was he who had acquired all records of the Club in 1956 along with the properties of the Tacoma & Roche Harbor Lime Company. His observation was based on those early documents and records which the new owners found Intact.

He wrote further that: 'In addition there were two excellent club rooms, one with a maple dance floor and stage, the other a projection room and a billiard table.'

Unfortunately, these club records are unavailable at present for further study of the Club's history since they have again become buried among the accumulation of the Lime Company's business records. Thus, at best we have only sketchy knowledge of the Club's founding, development and activities prior to World War II. These must have been interesting years in this old Hudson's Bay Company post.

If the exact date of its origin is hazy, certainly there is no question as to the identity of its progenitor and guardian. John Stafford McMillin, general manager of the Tacoma Roche Harbor Lime Company (later the Roche Harbor Lime Cement Company), was its founder. He had established the town of Roche Harbor in 1886 - a true 'company town'. Both the town and the Club grew and flourished with the fortunes of the Company. The Company, the Town and the Club apparently were equally dependent upon the largesse of John McMillin, reputed to have been a 'typical turn-of-the century tycoon'.

During these early years the Club functioned almost as an adjunct of the Lime Company. Until 1938 the Club's accounts were even maintained on the Company's books. The Star of David, which is emblazoned upon the Roche Harbor Yacht Club's burgee, was the logo of the Company and could be found on each sack of lime shipped from the kilns.

The story of the McMillin family and of Roche Harbor has been told and retold. We merely note that in 1908 John S. McMillin was the Commodore of the Roche Harbor Yacht Club. This is established by the 1908 unpublished account, 'The Cruise of the Calcite' written by the Seattle photographer John A. McCormick. The Calcite was McMillin's fifty-foot yacht, the Flagship of the Club, which in the Fall of 1908 undertook the first 'Canadian 500'Cruise, photographed and chronicled by McCormick. The story is worth reading.

The Roche Harbor Yacht Club, according to Ruben Tarte's account,'...many years ago... was very active in yachting circles, it had been allowed to shrink in size to a few members'. Its fortunes paralleled those of the Town, and the last known journal entry of the Club coincided with the closure of the Hotel do Haro in 1942.
Thence, an hiatus during the War years and the early 1950s followed by the Reactivation of the Roche Harbor Yacht Club in 1957 by Ruben Tarte and his family. Mr Tarte. became the Commodore during the years 1957 and 1958. He writes of these years:

"The first Annual meeting of the reactivated Club was held on February 22,1957, at which time about twenty-five people joined the Club. During the summer and fall of 1957 about 75 more members were accepted. The Club joined the Puget Sound Interclub Association, and paid its entrance fee, and contributed $75 toward the Sunday and Holiday Custom Pool which the Interclub Association sponsors so that American and Canadian boats may enter at Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor without excessive cost during the yachting season.">

Further, Commodore Tarte noted and commented upon a factor, which was already becoming apparent and which played an important part in the Club's future:

"There are few local members who reside in the San Juans. Most of the members reside at great distance from Roche Harbor. It is hoped that this situation will correct itself in the near future as it places considerable burden on our few local members. The Commodore is a part-time resident. We hope, at the Annual Meeting in February of 1959 to see many new faces."

The Roche Harbor Lime Cement Company continued to 'play host' to the Club, to furnish its quarters, and generally to lend its support in many ways. Under Commodore Henry Shelly (1962 - 1963) the Club began to show signs of independence. It negotiated a lease with the Company, to pay rent, to refurbish the club rooms and to provide floats for visiting yachters. Gradually, however, there was a shifting of activities, particularly during the off-season, toward the Puget Sound area. Cruises and social functions became centered in Seattle where most of the officers and members resided.

While Roche Harbor remains the Club's spiritual home, for all practical purposes Roche Harbor Yacht Club had disengaged itself from its origins. This remained the case until May 1997 when the club again established an out-station in the newly remodeled Roche harbor marina, and returned to it's roots.

The Roche Harbor Yacht Club remains an active force among the yacht clubs of the area and maintains a strong membership and an active fleet.