Category Archives: Historical Places

D. O. Pearson’s gardens

Flaval Pearson, daughter of Fred Pearson, granddaughter of D. O. Pearson in their garden north of the FNCC.   2004.79.01

Our recent clearance of the lot on 102nd Ave just north of the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center has opened up a large city lot that apparently had been empty until 1971 when the house was built.   Just by chance we happened to discover these two photographs in our collection and some notes that show this garden on lot in the 1920s – 40s.

Apparently D. O. Pearson and perhaps his son Fred, used this lot as a garden.  Here are two photograph of his Fred’s daughers, Claire and Flaval in the garden.

The snapshots were donated by Claire Payne in one of her visits to the Pearson House from her home in Spokane.  The lower photograph is her sister Flaval who became the Anacortes librarian in 1939.

1948 cropped aerial photograph of the gardens north of the FNCC (former I.O.O.F. Hall ) Photographer: J. Boyd Ellis.   By 1948 the roofline of the FNCC is no longer peaked.  The house in the top right photograph was moved one lot north of the gardens in 1976.

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!

The Stanwood Hotel

The Stanwood Hotel, one of our oldest buildings still serves beer, food and occasionally has had music.  The original building was built shortly after the 1892 fire that destroyed most of the buildings in Stanwood at the time.  The Hotel is not officially on our 2020 Historical Sites Tour but It has witnessed floods and many changes since that time.  It was a gathering place for businessmen, loggers, millworkers, hunters and the occasional tourist.

It’s first owners named it the “Hotel Cottage Home”  according to Allan Anderson.  It usually had restaurant that served meals.  About 1904-06 it was operated by Mr. and Mrs. Ira Galloupe (Stanwood Story,  v. 2 p. 88.) Allan Bartz owned it until 1911 when he went over to East Stanwood and built the Bartz Hotel near the depot. Before 1922 it was on the Pacific Highway until it was re-routed past East Stanwood. The next owners we know of were George Bellow and Chris Papps.  They sold at some point to Sverre Landray followed by Thomas and Irene Craig in 1955.  In 1961 the Craigs sold it to Mr and Mrs. S. N Benjamin from Seattle.  Vicki Tanner owned some time in the 1970s???.  In the 1990s it was operated by Mr. and Mrs. Esterbrook.

As always, we are seeking other owners to pull together this building history, Contact us if you know more.  (Source: ) )