Category Archives: Events

Demise of the old Railroad depot

Painting from a recent gift to SAHS. 2023.07

The Stanwood railroad depot was built in about 1891 when the Great Northern Railroad was connected the Puget Sound with the midwestern section of the United States.

The painting on the right captures the details of the siding. The initials of the painter are not familiar but was  certainly done before 1973 when the depot was finally destroyed after the last passenger run in 1971 when Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) took over the run. Amtrak regulations at that time did not allow service to any point outside of the United States.

Last train carrying passengers from Stanwood depot was April 30, 1971. Photo by Howard Hansen of the Stanwood News

The depot was demolished two years later in April 1973.  The Stanwood Station now provides passenger service  using Amtrak and connect with Vancouver B. C. and the Empire Builder from Everett.

Visit the Eldridge Center (formerly called the Stanwood Camano museum) to see more photographs and maps of the community.

March 18th Clara Stanwood Pearson Day

Among Clara Stanwood’s many accomplishments was the construction and building of public school building on North Street which she lived to see become a high school. At the time this school was thought of, Mrs. Pearson was elected director and against a large opposition she led the fight for the school and won.

For Women’s History Month, we once again honor Clara Stanwood Pearson whose influence in Stanwood deserves more recognition.

In 1877, D. O. Pearson and his wife, Clara and young children had recently arrived to establish a general merchandise store. D.O. also took over as Postmaster – he was the 7th in 7 years at this outpost. He submitted his wife’s maiden name, Stanwood, and it was made official.
Clara Jane Stanwood was born in Lowell Massachusetts and raised by her grandmother because her mother died when she was only 4 years old. Her father left to serve in the Union Army in the Civil War and never returned. She must have formed an attachment to D. O. Pearson and his family because she followed them out to Whidbey Island in 1868 on her own at the age of 19. They married and farmed for seven years until D. O. invested in the mercantile at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River and brought his family there to live.

In 2001 the Stanwood City Council proclaimed March 18th as the town’s Clara Stanwood Day. In September 2003 an honorary marker was placed at the D. O. Pearson House in her honor by the Ann Washington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

 

Harvest Jubilee History

During the 1930s the Stanwood Commercial Club held a Harvest Jubilee parade.  It was held until about 1942.  The above photograph is from a collection of snapshots taken over the years and donated to SAHS by Viola Schmidt Michael.  It shows an elaborate float along the brick street (270th) in front of what was then the First National Bank building (now the First National Professional Building.) A short history was published in one of our past newsletters for you to read.

Preparing for new projects

The Stanwood Area Historical Society owns and operates the D. O. Pearson House, the  Eldridge Museum, the Tolin House business office and the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center.

 

The house north of the Floyd which is owned by SAHS had been long planned to be removed in hopes of expanding the historical society facilities to better serve our mission.  Because of Covid19 our usual income generated from rentals at the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center which were partially earmarked for this project were drastically diminished.    Plans for removal of the house had to be put off once again. 

Fortunately SAHS member, Les Anderson, was able to bring together the right businesses willing to help at the right time.  “This house demolition donation will make it easier to expand in the future” said Les Anderson, and is necessary because the Society wants to keep our options open for this property site.  With so much potential created by freeing up this space, SAHS is appreciative of the donors business’ Omni Contracting Solutions (Tim Murphy), The United Group, and Lenz Enterprises for their commitment to our community and the Stanwood Area Historical Society.

Another interesting thing about this project was that the materials were shipped down to the United Group Snohomish location for further processing and sorting into repurposed landscape or construction materials that will help beautify and build local communities just like Stanwood.

These collaborating companies provided this work at no charge and have finally made it possible to plan for this space to be used to feature future historic exhibits. This dream includes a possible new building that has long been part of a strategic plan.  The building would provide more space for our heritage projects and programs to preserve, interpret and enhance the community’s sense of identity through its past.  To continue support for SAHS, please visit: https://www.sahs-fncc.org/?page_id=40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to Bill Keller and Richard Hanks for coordinating and collaborating to hasten our efforts to expand and grow. We are now ready to move on!  Thank you to Les Anderson for his creative solution to this long standing problem!


~~~ Karen Prasse, Volunteer/Member SAHS

Welcome to 2021

The Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center on Oct. 28, 2020 –  restoration .  If you looked at it now it would be painted

At this writing we can happily report that the Floyd Norgaard Restoration Project 2020 (Part 1) is in its last stages in spite of setbacks!  Though 2020 will go down in history as one of worst years we anticipate that a vaccine and practicing social distancing/masks will bring us an opportunity to provide our services and a historic place to be proud of.  We have many many people to thank for this success, most especially ARA Construction, D G Hopkins Painting, Bill Keller, Jim Joyce and Richard Hanks.

Our museum will remain closed for another couple months but members are planning for resuming activities by late spring and summer so consider helping us.  Our board meeting are being held on Zoom.  You may contact us for history research help and we will refer or assist as we can.  Renew or join now to participate and contribute your expertise and time to our re-opening later this year.  Membership will guarantee you will receive our next newsletter with details of our accomplishments and future plans.

Thank you again!

Karen Prasse