Where is Swan Island Dahlias located?
Swan Island Dahlias, in business for over 99 years, is the largest and leading dahlia grower in the United States. We are located in the town of Canby, in the rich soil of the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Today, Swan Island Dahlias is owned and operated by Nicholas and Linda Gitts. Nicholas’ Daughter, Heather Gitts-Schloe manages the office, website, and day-to-day business of Swan Island Dahlias.
What is the history of Swan Island?
The first recorded visit of European-American explorers to Swan Island came in 1607 when members of the Popham Colony stopped at the island. A second visit occurred in 1614 when Captain John Smith visited the Kennebec Indians on the Island. Swan Island has a long and rich historical significance—albeit one that is little-known in Maine. The earliest settlers were probably the Abenaki (a branch of the Kennebec tribe). It is thought that the island’s name was derived from a shortened version of the Abenaki name “Swango,” which means Island of Eagles.