Category Archives: Events

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

Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center restoration

A progress photograph taken on Dec. 1st of the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center of the restoration and repairs by ARA Construction and D. G. Hopkins painting. The project will continue as funds are available and weather weather allows. (Photograph courtesy Jack Archibald)

A recent photo of the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center awaiting repainting after meticulous repairs by ARA Construction and painting by D & G Hopkins Painting. Thanks to all who helped with a supporting donation for restoration costs of the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center this Tuesday, Dec 1st. during SCGIVE.org.

Many generous donors have contributed, our list of recent donors is in progress.

Though currently closed until COVID is under control, efforts towards preservation of our historic public hall building for future events are well underway. Please help if you haven’t had a chance yet.

For more information our Facebook page!

New book on our Fallen Heroes

SAHS announces a new book on the history of the Stanwood Camano Island area. Dr. Richard Hanks has researched and compiled this thoughtful and inspiring book on the lives and sacrifices of our local military. There will be a chance to meet the author and purchase a copy on Veteran’s Day at the SAHS Tolin House on November 11th from 10am to 2pm.

All proceeds from the sale on Veterans Day or online at Amazon will go to SAHS. Price will be $21.00 plus tax

Sales will be conducted safely and socially distanced, purchasers must wear masks, no more than 5 people in the Tolin House, it may be necessary to wait in your car.

East Stanwood Busy Corner

This view shows North side of 271st St NW in Stanwood looking northwest. From left the buildings are the Granary (distant left, originally known as the People’s Union), an unknown storefront, the N. V. KIng Building (1921), the 1918 Mercantile (behind the telephone pole), a cafe and the Depot Service Station garage with its East Stanwood Busy Corner sign. The cafe and service station burned in 1997. Photograph from the SAHS Collection 1995.28.21.

Some might be aware that Stanwood was once two towns: Stanwood (near river) and “East Stanwood” (near the railroad tracks).

The corner just east of the Stanwood Station had a small gas station with an awning that advertised itself as East Stanwood Busy Corner. It was a popular stop on the Pacific Highway between Everett and points north before Stanwood was bypassed in the 1930s. In the 1950s the gas station went into the auto part business and was called “East Stanwood Auto Parts”

In August 1997 the historic buildings that were once the Depot Service Station, a garage and the café (next door) burned in a two alarm fire. The businesses in the buildings at the time were the Eastside Salon, the gift store Emma’s Cottage and the antique shop, Yo Mama’s Attic. Firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to other businesses but managed to save the 1918 Mercantile. The owner at the time had to demolish the fire damaged buildings and currently that space is a grassy open space across from the Stanwood Railroad Station. Read on..

The white concrete building is the East Stanwood Mercantile popularly know as the Stubb Mercantile.

When the museum opens again for visits, you can see a small exhibit that displays more photographs of this story but for now, perhaps this property can be the first East Stanwood Busy Corner Park as part of the City of Stanwood’s Main Street Revitalization Program.

The Mercantile. Photo taken in 2003.

The original 1914 East Stanwood Mercantile store business was established by Otto Stubb and Andrew Frederickson. In 1917 Frederickson sold his interest to Otto Stubb but in 1918 the building was destroyed in a fire. The new concrete building that still stands was completed in October 1918. But there could be no grand opening ceremony because of the Influenza epidemic. (Stanwood News Oct 18, 1918). One month later, the Armistice was signed ending World War I. See below…

Opened to the public Oct 19…”The building is certainly a credit to the community … [who] will wish the proprietors, Messrs. Otto Stubb and O. C. Amundson the best of luck…” Stanwood Tidings Oct 18, 1918.

1952 F-89 Plane Crash over Camano Island

Finally after several tries to find an article documenting a mysterious 1952 plane crash remembered by several members of the Historical Society, we finally found it. No one could remember the year so that made it hard to verify the story.

Scroll down to read the full account provided by local Stanwood News reporter of the day, Grant Freer.

The pilot died but the radar operator survived, More Details on the F-89 aircraft for airplane history enthusiasts are here (pdf download)

There is an F-89 D at the Skagit Heritage Museum in at the Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington.

As always – please send along what you heard that day when the plane crashed. Click the Contact Us link at the top of the site…

—Karen

Plane Crash over Camano 1952