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The Rankin/Bass animated television classic, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” debuted on NBC on this date in 1964. Burl Ives gave an iconic performance in the film as Sam the Snowman, with many of the songs he sang in the film becoming Christmas standards. Sam, Rudolph, Yukon Cornelius, Hermey the misfit elf and several other characters became honorary citizens of Anacortes a couple of decades later, when the folk singer moved here and commissioned Eddie Strivens of Anacortes to paint a set of large mural cutouts of them. They were displayed in front of the Oakes Avenue home he shared with his wife Dorothy during the holidays for many years, but now make their holiday appearances at the Anacortes Museum.
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Bettye Bryant becomes first female mayor of Anacortes (1976)2023-12-06T00:00:00“I don’t know if I’m ready or if the city is ready for me,” Bettye Bryant (1924-1990) told the Anacortes American when she became the first female mayor of the city on this date in 1976. She had served three years on the Anacortes City Council when, under the council-city manager system, when she was elected mayor by her fellow council members.
Bryant’s father, Joy Busha, was a Skagit County Commissioner. Her children remember her as a single mother with four kids and two jobs. She moved to Anacortes in 1955, the year she and May Carpenter were hired by Scott O. Richards as the city’s first female real estate agents. She opened Bryant’s Realty in 1964 and bought a Century 21 franchise in 1976, selling lots at Skyline by day and playing in Skyline Marina’s piano bar at night. She received the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Woman of the Community Award in 1980.
Event LocationAnacortesWA98221 “I don’t know if I’m ready or if the city is ready for me,” Bettye Bryant (1924-1990) told the Anacortes American when she became the first female mayor of the city on this date in 1976. She had served three years on the Anacortes City Council when, under the council-city manager system, when she was elected mayor by her fellow council members.
Bryant’s father, Joy Busha, was a Skagit County Commissioner. Her children remember her as a single mother with four kids and two jobs. She moved to Anacortes in 1955, the year she and May Carpenter were hired by Scott O. Richards as the city’s first female real estate agents. She opened Bryant’s Realty in 1964 and bought a Century 21 franchise in 1976, selling lots at Skyline by day and playing in Skyline Marina’s piano bar at night. She received the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Woman of the Community Award in 1980.
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James Albert Gray killed at Pearl Harbor (1941)2023-12-07T00:00:00On December 7, 1941, Americans were shaken by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, an attack so devastating that it sent us directly into World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt described it as "A date that will live in infamy," a description that has endured. Anacortes resident James Albert Gray was aboard the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, and became the first of many from Anacortes to die in the worldwide conflict. A member of Anacortes High School’s class of 1941, Gray had dropped out to join the Navy in 1940. Local photographer and historian Wallie Funk ruminated on Gray's choice, "...his decision was that he would join the Navy and see the world, and now he is part of the eternal monument that they have at Pearl Harbor."
Pearl Harbor National Memorial1 Arizona Memorial PlHonoluluHI96818 On December 7, 1941, Americans were shaken by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, an attack so devastating that it sent us directly into World War II. President Franklin Roosevelt described it as "A date that will live in infamy," a description that has endured. Anacortes resident James Albert Gray was aboard the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, and became the first of many from Anacortes to die in the worldwide conflict. A member of Anacortes High School’s class of 1941, Gray had dropped out to join the Navy in 1940. Local photographer and historian Wallie Funk ruminated on Gray's choice, "...his decision was that he would join the Navy and see the world, and now he is part of the eternal monument that they have at Pearl Harbor."
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Virgil Johnson popcorn and candy stand removed (1963)2023-12-12T00:00:00For 37 years, Virgil Johnson's popcorn and candy stand served eager residents of Anacortes with sweets and treats. Originally standing strategically outside the Empire Theater, the stand was up for demolition when the theater closed down. Due to popular outcry from the people though, the stand actually managed to exist longer than the theater did. It continued to operate near the old theater for over a decade until it was taken down in 1963.
Virgil Johnson Popcorn and Candy StandAnacortesWA98221 For 37 years, Virgil Johnson's popcorn and candy stand served eager residents of Anacortes with sweets and treats. Originally standing strategically outside the Empire Theater, the stand was up for demolition when the theater closed down. Due to popular outcry from the people though, the stand actually managed to exist longer than the theater did. It continued to operate near the old theater for over a decade until it was taken down in 1963.
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Soroptimist open thrift shop (1966)2023-12-13T00:00:00The Bargain Bungalow, in a small rented house in the alley at 31st Street and Commercial Avenue, was opened for business by the Soroptimist Club of Anacortes on this date in 1966. The idea of a thrift shop came from Thelma Marani, Nina Antonious and Doris Tursi, who received much opposition from the membership. As Doris said later, “It took some persuasion to convince the club that it was a good idea. We had to personally guarantee that the club would not go in debt, and we never did. We didn’t make much at first, but we always managed to make expenses, which were $25 plus a few dollars in winter for Presto Logs.” Since then, the club has given about $1 million in scholarships, and more than 90 members and 40 volunteers run the shop.
31st and Commercial alley wayAnacortesWA98221 The Bargain Bungalow, in a small rented house in the alley at 31st Street and Commercial Avenue, was opened for business by the Soroptimist Club of Anacortes on this date in 1966. The idea of a thrift shop came from Thelma Marani, Nina Antonious and Doris Tursi, who received much opposition from the membership. As Doris said later, “It took some persuasion to convince the club that it was a good idea. We had to personally guarantee that the club would not go in debt, and we never did. We didn’t make much at first, but we always managed to make expenses, which were $25 plus a few dollars in winter for Presto Logs.” Since then, the club has given about $1 million in scholarships, and more than 90 members and 40 volunteers run the shop.
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Rotary of Anacortes chartered (1922)2023-12-22T00:00:00Although officers were elected and a club established with 17 members in November, the Rotary Club of Anacortes was officially chartered by the parent organization on this date in 1922. A chartering dinner the following February drew more than 250 Rotarians and guests from the Northwest and British Columbia. Since then, the group has generously donated untold hours and funds to community causes.
Anacortes Rotary ClubAnacortesWA98221 Although officers were elected and a club established with 17 members in November, the Rotary Club of Anacortes was officially chartered by the parent organization on this date in 1922. A chartering dinner the following February drew more than 250 Rotarians and guests from the Northwest and British Columbia. Since then, the group has generously donated untold hours and funds to community causes.
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Harry Causland awarded Distinguished Service Cross (1918)2023-12-24T00:00:00General John J. Pershing, Commander in Chief of American Expeditionary Force, U.S. Army, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously) to Pvt. Harry L. Causland of Guemes Island on this date in 1918. The citation is in the Anacortes Museum’s collections.
The citation, signed by Pershing, reads that Causland "distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States in Bantheville, France, on 24 October 1918, and in recognition of his gallant conduct I have awarded him in the name of the President the Distinguished Service Cross." Causland died in that battle as he brought ammunition to stranded soldiers.
Event LocationAnacortesWA98221 General John J. Pershing, Commander in Chief of American Expeditionary Force, U.S. Army, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (posthumously) to Pvt. Harry L. Causland of Guemes Island on this date in 1918. The citation is in the Anacortes Museum’s collections.
The citation, signed by Pershing, reads that Causland "distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States in Bantheville, France, on 24 October 1918, and in recognition of his gallant conduct I have awarded him in the name of the President the Distinguished Service Cross." Causland died in that battle as he brought ammunition to stranded soldiers.
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Carnegie Library debuts to the public (1910)2023-12-26T00:00:00The Carnegie Library (now home to the Anacortes Museum) made its public debut on this date in 1910, when the community was invited for an open house. “The library board is more than pleased with the results of the informal opening of the public library on Monday,” reported the Anacortes American on Dec. 29. “Notwithstanding the fact that the day was a disagreeable one from a weather standpoint, and that it was a legal holiday, many visitors were in evidence during the hours that the building was open to the public. Mrs. George B. Smith, secretary-treasurer of the board, reports that there are nearly 800 volumes on hand at present, and only a few of the books ordered have arrived so far.” Construction of the building was funded by a $10,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.
Anacortes Museum1305 8th StAnacortesWA98221 The Carnegie Library (now home to the Anacortes Museum) made its public debut on this date in 1910, when the community was invited for an open house. “The library board is more than pleased with the results of the informal opening of the public library on Monday,” reported the Anacortes American on Dec. 29. “Notwithstanding the fact that the day was a disagreeable one from a weather standpoint, and that it was a legal holiday, many visitors were in evidence during the hours that the building was open to the public. Mrs. George B. Smith, secretary-treasurer of the board, reports that there are nearly 800 volumes on hand at present, and only a few of the books ordered have arrived so far.” Construction of the building was funded by a $10,000 grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.
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Although a predicted crowd of 700 thirsty 'Bellinghamsters' never materialized (only seven got off the boat), the Anacortes American reported that Anacortes saloonkeepers were kept busy on the last day before statewide liquor prohibition took effect: “Practically every saloon in the city sold off all its stock before closing time and all report a rushing business in filling supplies of wet goods for the dry year during the last week. Though no figures are available, Anacortes people spent several thousand dollars in putting away a bottle or two, ‘for medicinal purposes.’ The saloon receipts of the past two weeks broke all records.” – Anacortes American (1916)
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