May 20, 1909:

Charles A. D’Arcy, the well known Anacortes pioneer, is enjoying not only the luxury but the distinction, if you please, of owning the only 1909 model autobuggy in the city. The vehicle is certainly a delight to the eye and the way Mr. D’Arcy has mastered its mysterious machinery is a demonstration of his aptitude in modern mechanical manipulation.

May 22, 1919:

Incident to the erection of a memorial in Anacortes in honor of those who gave their lives in the great war the citizens of Anacortes might well consider the possibility and advisability of renaming the public park in which it is generally agreed the memorial should be placed.

The city park has been generally known as Great Northern Park, and the name was given it in consideration of a special price on land sold to the city for a portion of the park by the Great Northern Railway.

May 23, 1929:

A set of traffic signals have been installed on the police car which enable a driver from behind or in front to see which way the car intends to turn.

The signals work from the exhaust and are placed across the front of the car just below the top. They are arms which extend and work from a switch on the steering wheel. They extend out and a contact is made which lights them.

From behind the light is red, and if the driver intends turning to the right a red “R” is shown, and to the left a red “L.”

May 19, 1949:

Next Tuesday evening has been set by the city council as the time they will hear the arguments for the reversal of their previous decision to keep Anacortes on standard time this summer. When this decision was made public last week it aroused a storm of protest from many quarters.

The following will go on Daylight saving time June 1st — Tacoma, Seattle, Everett, Bellingham, all Black Ball ferries, all Bus lines, utility companies and a few individuals. Mount Vernon and Burlington, we understand, have been pressured by farmers into staying on Standard time.

May 21, 1959:

Mrs. Tom Bullock, outgoing president of the Jaycee Wives of Anacortes, turned her gavel over to Mrs. Leo Walchuk, new head of the group, during an installation ceremony held last Saturday evening at the Sucia Reef banquet room. Installed with Mrs. Walchuk were Mrs. Ken Robinson, state director; Mrs. Keith Horner, vice president; Mrs. Harlan Abbott, secretary; Mrs. Jack Harlow, treasurer; and Mrs. Bob Lewis and Mrs. Jack Maroni, board members.

May 15, 1969:

A call for bids for construction of two 50-unit apartment complexes has been issued by the Anacortes Housing Authority. Proposals will be considered May 27 at a special meeting of Housing Commissioners. The action followed receipt of a $40,000 grant from the federal government to cover preliminary planning of housing for low-income elderly persons and family groups.

May 16, 1979:

Charles Williams, soon-to-be retired principal of Anacortes High School, was afforded a prestigious distinction this month when he received the yearly “Liberty Bell Award” from members of the Skagit County legal profession.

The award annually goes to one who is not involved in the practice of law and who has demonstrated “concern and awareness toward the American system of justice under law,” according to District Court Judge Eugene Anderson of Anacortes.

May 17, 1989:

The Anacortes forestry board, which oversees the community forest lands, formed a committee to address concerns about current forest management, including clear-cut logging.... As stated in the management plan, the forest lands must be self-supporting, which, in turn, means logging, board members contend.

— From the archives of the Anacortes American