Cole Point extends into the waters surrounding Anderson Island in Pierce County, though the specific origin of the "Cole" designation remains undocumented in readily available historical records, likely honoring an early settler, landowner, or mariner associated with this section of the island's coastline. The point sits on Anderson Island, which itself was named by Charles Wilkes of the United States Exploring Expedition in 1841 to honor Alexander Anderson, chief factor at Fort Nisqually who provided generous hospitality to the expedition members during their explorations of southern Puget Sound. Anderson Island, the southernmost island in Puget Sound, developed slowly after Danish brothers Andrew N. and Christian F. Christensen became the first European settlers in 1870, initiating industries that included wood sales to steamers, brick manufacturing that left archaeological traces still visible on island beaches, farming operations, and commercial fishing. The Cole Point area on Anderson Island features views across Oro Bay and surrounding waters, with residential development creating a small community of homes along Cole Point Drive and surrounding roads. Like other Anderson Island place names, Cole Point likely originated during the period of American settlement and land claims in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when surveyors, developers, and property owners assigned names to geographic features to facilitate land transactions and navigation, creating a naming system that persists in modern property descriptions and local geography even when the original person or circumstance behind the name has faded from collective memory.
Cole Point provides access to Anderson Island's characteristic shoreline environments, where beaches feature the mix of natural and historical elements that define this quiet Puget Sound community accessible only by the Pierce County ferry from Steilacoom or private boat. While specific public beach access directly at Cole Point may be limited compared to designated parks like Andy's Marine Park and Jacob's Point Park, the general area participates in the island's network of shoreline access that allows exploration of Puget Sound beaches scattered with driftwood, shells, rocks, and occasional bricks from the historic Anderson Island Brick Works. The island's 7.75 square miles of land area and surrounding coastline create opportunities for kayaking, with paddlers able to circumnavigate the island while observing harbor seals, river otters, bald eagles, and great blue herons that inhabit these productive waters. Beachcombing rewards those who search for agates, interesting rocks shaped by wave action, shells from clams and other mollusks, and the historically significant bricks that wash up from kiln sites dating to the island's industrial period. Andy's Marine Park, located on the island's west side, offers 81 acres with 0.75 miles of public beach along Puget Sound, accessed by a serpentine trail through old-growth Douglas fir forest that leads to driftwood-strewn shores particularly beautiful during evening hours when sunsets illuminate the Olympic Mountains across the sound. The island's relatively undeveloped character and limited access via the 20-minute ferry crossing preserve a sense of stepping back to a quieter era of Puget Sound history, attracting visitors seeking escape from the urbanized areas of central Pierce County.
Dining options on Anderson Island reflect the community's small size and remote character, with limited establishments serving the population of approximately 1,302 residents and ferry visitors. Riviera Lakeshore Restaurant sits a short drive from the ferry landing, offering hearty meals with views overlooking Lake Josephine and Mount Rainier visible on clear days, serving breakfast plates with eggs, bacon, hash browns, and pancakes, lunch options including burgers, sandwiches, and daily soup specials, dinner entrees featuring steaks, seafood, and comfort food preparations, and hosting community events like karaoke nights and live music performances that create gathering opportunities for island residents and visitors. Anderson Island Café, located at the island's hub alongside the general store, provides meals including breakfast items, lunch sandwiches and salads, daily specials that change with availability, baked goods, and beverages including coffee and soft drinks. Anderson Island General Store stocks groceries, snacks, basic supplies, and prepared foods, allowing residents and visitors to provision themselves for beach outings and picnics at Cole Point and other shoreline locations. Visitors should note that island businesses typically close by 8 PM, with weekend summer hours sometimes extending to 9 PM, requiring planning for meals and supplies. For those traveling via the Steilacoom ferry, Steilacoom Pub and Grill sits up the hill from the ferry terminal on the mainland, serving fish and chips made with cod, burgers with various toppings, chicken wings with sauces, sandwiches and wraps, and local beers on tap, providing a convenient dining option while waiting for one of the 10 to 14 daily ferry runs that connect Anderson Island to the mainland and allow visitors to explore the beaches, points, and quiet roads of this peaceful Puget Sound community where Cole Point extends into waters that have witnessed centuries of human activity.
