Its name has several explanations, including that it was named for a local settler with the name Torjam (the explanation given by the local historical society),[4] that it was named for stumbling drunkards, or that existing explanations are "all conjecture".[5][6]
The hill was once a "villainous" milestone for bicycle riders on the Chilly Hilly season opener sponsored by Seattle's Cascade Bicycle Club,[7] and on the Bainbridge Island Half Marathon, formerly called Toe Jam Hill Half Marathon.[8]
The Bainbridge Island high point's location is reported variously at highpointing websites. Listsofjohn.com gives Gazzam Lake Hill based on USGS topographic maps, which used photographic aerial surveys and stereoplotters.[9] Peakbagger.com gives Toe Jam Hill at 15 feet higher or more, based on newer high-resolution LIDAR maps.[1]
LIDAR surveys in the 1990s also identified a geologic fault, now named the Toe Jam Hill Fault, north of the hill. It may intersect and may be secondary to the Seattle Fault.[10][11] It was the first fault discovered by laser imagery.[12]
A city park, Nutes Pond Park (also spelled Nute's Pond), was created on Toe Jam Hill in 2011.[13][14]
