100 years ago (1916 — Oak Harbor News)
Interest remained high in a ferry from the island’s south end to Mukilteo, though no concrete steps had been taken.
A colt that had “been in harness only a few times” shied at an object in the road, overturning a buggy and injuring Mr. and Mrs. Hudson Benner.
A burgler who hit Langley and Glendale locations “has gone north in his launch,” a front-page story said. “His purpose in stealing sugar, flour, rice, canvas, etc. was to equip himself for his journey to Alaska. He may be captured yet.”
An officer and five privates from Fort Casey were among the first offenders arrested for violating Island County’s new prohibition law.
Coupeville’s Glenwood Lodge, No. 107, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows celebrated the 97th anniversary of the organization’s founding in America.
Nyal-brand face soap cost 25 cents at Oak Harbor Drug Company, and every purchaser of Nyal products totaling $1 or more got a free clothes-line reel.
75 years ago (1941 — Farm Bureau News)
Two Guernsey breeders from Whidbey Island made a tour of Skagit and Whatcom counties trying to find a purebred heifer to show during the Holland Days festival.
Two milk tanks, each with a capacity of 15,000 pounds, were installed at the Oak Harbor plant of the Skagit County Dairyman’s Association.
Ed Hingston and his (unnamed) wife prepared to formally open their “new, ultramodern” store in San de Fuca. Coffee, cookies and Darigold cheeses were to be served all day at the open house, which was advertised in the same issue. The opening drew more than 500 people, a front-page story in the next issue reported.
“Come! Spend a day, a month or a lifetime” was the slogan in a new two-color pamphlet meant to attract tourists to the island.
The Farm Security Administration in Mount Vernon advised that loans were available to provide spring development, wells and cisterns in Island County.
A Commander Worsted double-breasted suit cost $25 at N.J. Molstad in Mount Vernon.
50 years ago (1966 — Whidbey News Times)
An advisory council rejected by a single vote a bid to create a hospital on Whidbey Island.
A drive was underway to raise $35,000 to return two ten-inch disappearing guns to Fort Casey.
Arvid Smith of Coupeville won a color TV in a giveaway at the Lions’ Carnival.
Robert Shiveley began his duties as a ranger at For Casey State Park.
Kids’ tennis shoes sold for $1.99 at Mike’s Sport Shop in Oak Harbor.
25 years ago (1991 — Whidbey News Times)
Oak Harbor’s population was expected to double, to 30,000, by 2010, a story reported. The city of seven square miles had a 1990 population of 17,176 and only 200 acres of undeveloped land zoned for residential, commercial or industrial use.
Whidbey Music Center, in Oak Harbor, celebrated its 20th year in business.
Citing a Seattle Post-Intelligencer story that quoted unnamed sources, a front-page story said rumors were flying that Naval Air Station Whidbey Island was slated for closure. In the following issue, a banner headline read: “Sound of silence: base to close.”
A new, 9,000-square-foot building for Island Thrift was planned on the site of the old one, which burned in an arson fire the previous summer.
The county moved toward closing a giant pit where the island’s garbage was disposed of.
Skagit Valley College planned a $92 million building for new classrooms, labs and libraries.
— Compiled by Dan Richman, drichman@whidbeynewsgroup.com
