The first white people arrived in the 1850s, employees of the Hudson's Bay Company sent from the Fort Victoria post to hunt deer.

Other early inhabitants of note included Michael Adams, a prospector and trapper from Pennsylvania and horticulturalist who planted the first apple orchard on Orcas.

Eastsound consists of a village green, a few hotels and several restaurants, numerous gift shops, large grocery store, food co-op, hardware store, pharmacy, brewery, various music venues, several churches, post office, school, small airport, and public dock.

Eastsound's scenic location, thriving music and arts community, and quaint friendly village makes it a popular tourist destination.

There is a public village green with extensive lawn, picnic tables, shade trees, and outdoor stage that hosts music performances, community events, and the weekly farmers' market.