100 years ago

“Three cheers for incorporation!” That was the exclamation heard on every hand last Saturday as the News Extra edition was read on the street containing the returns within an hour after the judges had completed the count. The vote stood: For incorporation, 68; against incorporation, 27. The News believed there were a little more than 100 voters within the incorporated limits, but only 95 votes were cast. The first town council elected was as follows: Mayor, Jerome Ely; councilmen, H. Hulst, Henry Muyskens, H.T. Hill, Frank Stallman, J.R. Maylor; Treasurer, J.M. Pratt.

75 years ago

Island County’s first music festival was accorded a complete success by the huge crowds which packed the auditorium of the Oak Harbor High School. The participants numbered in the hundreds. The evening program was divided, about half of it being composed of sacred music and half secular.

The report was being circulated that John Meeter kicked a golf ball with such force as to break his great toe. This was a false statement, Meeter averred, and claimed the injury was received when he dropped a 150-pound linoleum roller on the pedal digit.

50 years ago

Island County escaped with little damage from the earthquake that violently shook the entire Northwest. One woman watched a coffee cup wiggle off the table and onto her husband’s lap as he read the newspaper.

New park code for Oak Harbor in the form of an ordinance was passed by the city council. The new rules adopted would prohibit removing, destroying or mutilating park property; letting animals run at large; shooting firearms or explosives; camping; building fires; and several other offenses.

25 years ago

Worried that Coupeville was rapidly outgrowing its water supply, the planning commission recommended the town council adopt a building moratorium. The temporary moratorium would affect all buildings and land-use permits.

Coupeville High School swept the state History Day competition and brought home the “most outstanding school” trophy for the seventh consecutive year.

A large tree was knocked down by the wind and put out power, cable and telephone service to an Oak Harbor neighborhood.

Looking Back is compiled from the Whidbey News-Times’ archives as the newspaper celebrates 125 years in business and the City of Oak Harbor its 100th anniversary of incorporation.