100 years ago (1916 — Oak Harbor News)
An auto trip down the new central highway from Oak Harbor to Langley “is full of interest,” a Page One story reported. In Greenbank, the Calvin Philips Co. had “a big stock-breeding farm with a thrifty appearance,” it said. Freeland had “quite a number of neat homes.” The most beautiful place was Bay View, “a most entrancing pastoral scene.” There was to be “a move made this spring and summer by the people of the lower part of the island to solicit capital for a big ferry across from near Clinton to Mukilteo,” the story noted.
“Wm. Brown, who was thrown from his buggy last week and injured, is getting along nicely,” a front-page story said in its entirety.
One-third of a page was devoted to how to blast out holes in which to plant trees, said to be superior to merely digging holes — “the difference being so unmistakable that no adequate comparison could be made.” Several illustrations showed how to prime a dynamite cartridge.
Burglars broke into the Langley Boat Warehouse at the steamer landing and stole $20 worth of groceries. Sheriff Armstrong was notified and “at last account was hot on the trail of the suspected parties,” according to a front-page story.
Ten pounds of rye flour cost 40 cents at The Cash Store in Oak Harbor.
75 years ago (1941 — Farm Bureau News)
Three youth hostels were planned for the island — one six miles from Columbia Beach, one at Greenbank and one at Scenic Heights.
Turkey raising was rapidly becoming one of the state’s leading industries, and the Washington Turkey Federation was formed in response. A meeting of North Whidbey turkey farmers centered on the breeding of poults (young domestic birds).
Daughters of Pioneers celebrated the seventh anniversary of the founding of the local chapter. Pouring at tea were Mrs. Hattie Race, Mrs. Nell Watson and Mrs. Lillian Kellogg.
The crops of cabbage, spinach and wheat were just starting to dry up when copious rain fell, ensuring a bright crop outlook, a front-page story reported.
Work continued on the new highway running the island’s entire length. It was to be “a wide road, built so that it will stand up under heavy mechanized units of war implements.”
“Smart Easter bonnets” cost $1.98 at J.C. Penney.
50 years ago (1966 — Whidbey News-Times)
The first services were held in the newly built Coupeville Gospel Chapel, for which ground was broken in July 1964.
Theodore James Fromm, only 31 but married and the father of four children, was hired to replace Fred Guenther as Coupeville High School’s principal.
‘Lectrion Inc., an electronics firm proposed for Oak Harbor, planned to offer stock to the public. The fledgling corporation was to be run by Donald Gumz.
Coupeville resident Hobart Rorrer placed second in a Port Townsend clam-gulping competition, downing 199 Littleneck clams in eight minutes. The winner ate 208.
The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the construction of a 40-unit senior housing project in Langley and a 30-unit project in Oak Harbor.
A Zephyr-brand six-transistor portable radio, with case, battery and earphone, cost $3.77 at Sprouse-Reitz Variety Store in Oak Harbor
25 years ago (1991 — Whidbey News-Times)
Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons 130 and 132 were set to return to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island following the Persian Gulf cease-fire.
Oak Harbor’s annexation of rural land threatened the rural lifestyle of John Moyer,
Bob Moore resigned as principal of Coupeville High School after one year of service, following teachers’ refusal to give him a vote of confidence.
Five Oak Harbor-area residents asked that the city annex their property.
Coupeville schools prepared to receive 12-minute daily educational TV broadcasts from Whittle Communications’ Channel One News.
