Here’s what was happening in the news this week:
100 years ago
A News reporter took a trip to Utsaladdy and discovered that there were approximately 75 to 100 people from various parts of the country camped on the beaches at and near the point. It was editorialized that the location was “one of the most beautiful on the Sound.” The writer added that the attractiveness of the scenery was complemented by the presence of lively young people.
Prominent visitors M.A. Morrison and family made a trip to Oak Harbor in their automobile. The family of six was visiting from Bellingham and stayed at the Hotel Byrne. Mr. Morrison was a member of the Morrison Mill Co., owners of one of the largest mills and box factories in the state.
Various articles of furniture and household goods had gone missing from the Ivy Inn on South Whidbey. The inn had been closed for the summer. Suspicions were directed toward Mrs. Mary McKnight, who was arrested. The estimated value of the stolen items amounted to several hundred dollars.
75 years ago
The Oak Harbor City Council approved a new ordinance regulating the installation of plumbing, drainage and sewer systems and establishing a building code for the city. The new code was expected to receive final passage and be enacted into law the following month if granted final approval. The proposed ordinance would regulate everything from repairing old buildings to constructing new ones.
Father J.E. O’Brien, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, announced that Reverend Gerald O’Shaughnessey, bishop of the Seattle diocese, was expected to visit Whidbey to commemorate the centenary of the first cross erected at Coupeville. A 25-foot replica was to be erected near St. Mary’s church. Members of the Skagit tribe residing in LaConner, descendants of those who erected the first cross in 1840, were preparing the replica. Accounts of the first cross’ establishment were recorded in the journal of Father Francis Blanchet, an early French missionary.
50 years ago
Six Oak Harbor Junior High School students completed their third-quarter courses with a straight-A average. The students’ names were included on a list of 150 youngsters in grades seven through nine who had achieved honor-roll worthy marks during the last quarter.
South Whidbey passed three special election levies. Voters approved a special tax levy of $30,750 for the South Whidbey School District building fund and a $3,200 levy designed to raise money for the fire department, library and parks in the City of Langley. Voters in the Freeland water district also approved two bond issues. The first authorized the water commissioners to sell $10,000 in general obligation bonds, and the second authorized commissioners to sell $140,000 in revenue bonds.
25 years ago
Oak Harbor City Council directed city attorney Phil Bleyhl to draft an ordinance to protect the city’s remaining oak trees. The decision was made during a well-attended meeting in which several concerned citizens voiced their opinions that the trees be preserved. Some citizens, such as Mike Douglas, asked that the trees be proclaimed historic. The issue was brought forth after at least two large oaks were removed from a lot at the intersection of Midway and 400th Avenue west. The lot was on privately owned property. Mayor Al Koetje stated that the city had never removed oaks from city property.
A Whidbey-based Navy squadron’s homecoming was expected to be delayed because of the United States’ plans to send troops and combat airplanes to Saudi Arabia to ward off a potential Iraqi invasion. The military action, announced the day prior by President Bush, had diverted the aircraft carrier the USS Eisenhower to the Persian Gulf. The Navy had sent the USS Saratoga earlier in the week, as scheduled, to replace the Eisenhower on patrol in the Mediterranean Sea. Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 140 was stationed on the Eisenhower.
