100 years ago (1916 — Oak Harbor News)
“Chris. Weidenbach and James Donahue shipped pork to the Everett and Seattle markets on Wednesday,” read a page-one news item in its entirety.
A front-page story reported that “over 70 guests assembled at the Rogers home Saturday evening last, the occasion being a farewell party to Mr. and Mrs. Rogers and family. Whist was played, social conversations engaged in, music listened to and a splendid supper partaken of.”
The news editor visited Langley and “was agreeably surprised at the evidences of thrift and improvement on every hand.” Langley had, he said, “a splendid area of country close around, a fine new high school building and a new electric light plant.” The Langley State Bank had over $40,000 in deposits, about equal to Oak Harbor’s, he said.
Oak Harbor Fruit Growers Association prepared to open its cannery. In its second season, the cannery was still losing money, but “we have no cause to be discouraged at this time, the front-page story said. “Our product wherever used is highly spoken of,” it said.
Four pounds of dried apples cost 25 cents at The Cash Store. One hundred pounds of nails cost $4 at Henry Muyskens.
75 years ago (1941 — Farm Bureau News)
Langley’s new Catholic church was set to be blessed and dedicated.
The American Guernsey Cattle club, of Peterborough, N.H., sold Reddy’s Island Boy 296640, a registered Guernsey bull, to Horace Finn of Clinton, according to a front-page story.
The “We Women” column discussed the question, “What makes a baby go like a duck to water to some people and yell like thunder when approached by others?”
The “High School Breeze” column reported that the Ag. III class was studying know-tying, which required knowing how to tie 17 different knots.
Tickets to the Flower Show at Seattle’s Civic Center were offered for sale at 45 cents each.
Wallpaper cleaner cost 10 cents a can at Dyer’s Red & White food store.
50 years ago (1966 — Whidbey News Times)
High school senior Dana Duzan, Miss Navy Whidbey Island for 1966, received heaps of gifts from Oak Harbor merchants at her coronation ceremony.
Federal legislation provided funding to build a hospital and dental clinic at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
Langley Port Commissioner Bob Porter unveiled a $1 million plan for a new, six-acre port that would accommodate 210 small boats and 25 commercial fishing vessels.
Fresh crabs cost 39 cents per pound at Payless in Oak Harbor and Freeland.
25 years ago (1991—Whidbey News Times)
Oak Harbor’s school board declared an emergency and called for a levy and bond election May 26 that together would raise over $10 million to build and operate a new elementary school.
Sixteen Oak Harbor businesses were burgled between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, with a total loss of over $2,000.
Work continued to build a network of bike trails running the length of Whidbey Island, though one proponent cautioned it might take “several years” to establish it.
Housing prices in Oak Harbor were high, buoyed by strong demand. An early poll on assessments showed waterfront properties were selling for the highest prices in history.
The first troops began returning from Saudi Arabia to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
