When and why was anacortes named?

Anacortes was named in 1879 by Amos Bowman, who combined the names of the Spanish explorer Juan de Anacortes and the city of Cortez, Colorado. The name was chosen to reflect the area's maritime heritage and to evoke a sense of place that was linked to both local history and the broader context of exploration. The town was officially incorporated in 1891 and has since developed into a key port and gateway to the San Juan Islands.