News Files
COMPILED BY CAROL SCHMIDT
EARLY HISTORY
Andrew Ellingson was in charge of the ferry from Stanwood to Camano Island, before the bridge connecting the two was built. Robert Kincaid brought his new bride Margaret to Camano Island in 1899. John Kvande of Stangvik, came to Woodland (fairgrounds vicinity) in 1900 to farm.
100 YEARS AGO (1910)
Jeremiah Hartney established a tailor shop in Stanwood, later adding readyto wear and haberdashery (hats) at his well-known store which stayed in business for almost a century. Kathleen Conner was born May 20 in Stanwood to Frank and Anna Conner, early pioneers.
90 YEARS AGO (1920)
Peter Henning was elected to the board of Cedarhome School District the school was a run-down two-story frame building, overcrowded and poorly equipped. Freeborn School was still being conducted in an old log cabin, across from Freeborn Lutheran Church. Mrs. Hazel Conrad, who was born in Illinois in 1893, came to East Stanwood in 1920 with husband, B.E. Conrad.
80 YEARS AGO (1930)
Ernest Rosser, mercantile owner, served as treasurer of the library commission. The community fair was cancelled, due to lack of interest. The quartet of Union High School sang over KJR radio. Beder Wick, born in Minnesota in 1880, came west to Silvana this year with wife Marie (Rigstad) where they owned Silvana Grain Co. (the grain elevator is still a landmark in Silvana).
70 YEARS AGO (1940)
Orville Owen was one of the barbers at Stanley Wagness’ shop, first working with the late Ralph Brown, tonsorial artist. E.G. Einarsen of Camano and Bill Ruse of Stanwood were distributors of Standard Oil products. Thompson’s Grocery reduced the number of town deliveries to once a day and two on Saturdays, but continued regular Tuesday and Friday deliveries to Camano.
60 YEARS AGO (1950)
The badly weather-battered abutment fronting Camano Beach resorts was replaced. Camano Lodge at Camano City was opened to the public.
50 YEARS AGO (1960)
The new 50-star flag was raised over the dedication of the East Stanwood Post Office (present home of the Stanwood Camano News). The annual all employee and teacher picnic for Twin City schools was held.
40 YEARS AGO (1970)
Seattle Polaris Dist. Boy Scouts of America held a camporee in Victoria (Heights) Community (across the freeway) on the Victoria Ranch on the part known as the Martin Olsen place, where the fields were dotted with tents. Swim classes were being announced in the school for this summer.
30 YEARS AGO (1980)
Milt Furness of KOMO TV was guest speaker at The Little White Church on the Hill in Silvana. His grandparents’ home was the first gathering place for the congregation in 1884. The Camano Community Club’s first president was Pam Wesley.
20 YEARS AGO (1990)
While being transported to jail for drug possession, a Camano Island woman went into labor and went to the hospital instead of jail. Patrick Moody bought Snow Goose Bookstore. Cedarhome Adventist Christian School was accepting applications for next year.
10 YEARS AGO (2000)
Camano got its own zip code. The majority voters on Camano supported the Island Transit tax.
