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.
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.
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
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
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, one of our oldest buildings and still serves beer, food and occasionally has had music. The original building Hotel was built shortly after the 1892 fire that destroyed most of the buildings in Stanwood at the time. The Hotel has witnessed floods and many changes since that time. It was originally 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 a restaurant that served meals. Advertising in the Stanwood Tidings lists I. F Galloupe, Proprietor, First Class Accommodation, Special Attention paid to Travelers. 1904-06 it was operated by Mr. and Mrs. Ira Galloupe (Stanwood Story, v. 2 p. 88.). According to the Oregon & Washington Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1907 – 1908 the Hotel Stanwood ‘s proprietor was a Mrs. M Helen Shadbolt.
In 1909 the Polk’s Directory of Everett and Snohomish County Washington the Hotel Stanwood listing advertises the
“Bartz & Hansen Proprs (sic), opposite Post Office (when it was on Market St.),
American & European Plan Electric Lights Modern conveniences. The Hotel has been enlarged to 33 rooms and newly furnished. We can Please the Traveling Public. Rates Reasonable Meals at all hours Stanwood Wash.”
Allan Bartz owned it until 1911 when he moved to East Stanwood and built the Bartz Hotel near the depot. A next owner or proprietor was Mrs. M. B. Miller & Co. in 1916 followed by a succession of owners, proprietors, managers.
Before 1922 it was on the Pacific Highway until the highway was re-routed more directly past East Stanwood north to Skagit County along the railroad. The Stanwood Hotel was bypassed. The next owners we know of were George Bellow and Chris Papps.
In 1933 when prohibition was repealed Clyde Phillips put in a bar and ownership was made out to Sverre Landre and partner Albert Moe. [Moe sold his interest and bought the Central Tavern on the opposite corner. Which he ran for about eight years. Moe became Mayor in 1949 and a long time volunteer fireman.
When the elegant Palace (later Graham) hotel was taken down, the back bar was sold to the owners of the Stanwood Hotel. The old mahogany wood spans across the top of a a great wide mirror, supported by hollow shafts in the manner of the Roman Corinthian columns.
They sold at some point to Sverre Landre followed by Thomas and Irene Craig in 1955. It was around this time a new foundation was put under the building. The outside was covered with 8,500 feet of cedar, half vertical and half horizontal and 75 gallons of stain. In 1961 the Craigs sold it to Mr. and Mrs. S. N Benjamin from Seattle and many owners and proprietors succeeded them. In 2012 it was reported in the Everett Herald “Old Hotel restored to Glory” was to be purchased and remodeled by Marilyn and Leonard Guthrie.
More information and photos about the hotel are in the ramp display of the Eldridge Center.