Three socialist men established the Free Land Association early in the first decade of the 20th century, and on Whidbey Island's southern shore, near Holmes Harbor, the utopian settlement of Freeland was established a year later. The association's aim for Freeland was to prioritize cooperative living over political doctrine in an effort to avoid the doctrinal conflicts and human flaws that had ended earlier similar projects. Other settlers in the region identified as "capitalists," supporters of free enterprise who rejected socialism. 
This mismatched bunch of tough, hardworking, and driven men and women managed to coexist, if not in harmony, then at least without violence, despite enormous stress and deep mistrust. The Free Land Association would succeed in establishing a mainly peaceful and long-lasting cooperative community, but it would fail miserably in its business endeavors. More than a century later, Freeland is still a thriving unincorporated community on Whidbey Island.
Listen now to learn more about this unique Evergreen State town!

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