Stanwood History
By Curt Cunningham

The city of Stanwood is located about 20 miles northwest of Everett just above the forks of the south and west passes at the mouth of the Stillaguamish river. The place was once a desolate marsh where cattails and skunk cabbage thrived. The Stillaguamish river, empties into Puget Sound at Stanwood, a few miles south of the Skagit river, and is about 90 miles long. The Stillaguamish tideflats which include Stanwood comprise a area of several thousand acres which have been reclaimed over the years for agricultural purposes.

The river is the home of the Stillaguamish tribe who have lived along it banks for thousands of years. Stillaguamish translates to "People of the River." The Stillaguamish are descendants of the Stoluck-wa-mish River Tribe who lived on the main branch of the Stillaguamish river, as well as the north and south forks, near present day Arlington and Stanwood. The Stillaguamish were signers of the Point Elliott Treaty but received no land until 2014 when the Tribe was granted a 64-acre reservation by the federal government. Today their headquarters is at Arlington.

The first Europeans sailed past the mouth of the Stillaguamish in the 1790's as the Vancouver expedition was exploring Port Susan. In 1864 a telegraph wire was strung from San Francisco to New Westminster, BC and the line passed through Stanwood in 1865 while on its way north. In the mid 1860's the loggers arrived and begin to clear the forest. Then the farmers came and drained the land so they could till the soil in this "Garden of the Territory."

About the year 1864 the first settlers arrived on the Stillaguamish river. Among the group was; Harry Marshall, James Fulton, George D. Neville, Willard Sly, Gardner Goodridge, James Perkins, William Hunt, Thomas Ovenell, Robert Freeman, Peter Wilkinson, John Gilchrist, William B. Moore and Daniel Marvin who, with his wife settled on a claim across the river from the village of Florence. In 1866, Robert Freeman opened a small trading post at the mouth of the Stillaguamish river where he kept a small stock of goods. The trading post was also a saloon. In 1870 Freeman established a post office and called it Centerville and Freeman became its first postmaster. Centerville was originally located about three quarters of a mile south of Stanwood near the mouth of the south pass of the Stillaguamish river. 

The first settlers on the flats between the Stillaguamish and the Skagit rivers were all single men, with the exception of William B. Moore and Daniel Marvin. They would work in logging camps during the summer, lay in a supply of grub and build dikes to keep out the salt water during the winter. The first dikes built were small and quite frequently they were carried away by the big tides, but little by little the ponds were drained and the dense brush was cleared. Reclamation would be slow and expensive. Then came the Norwegians whose perseverance and industry were an important factor in the reclamation of the land. They brought with them the many years of experience fighting against adverse topographic conditions.

In 1872 George F. Kyle who had arrived in 1868 became postmaster of Centerville. Kyle who was a merchant may have operated the store at Centerville until 1874. In December of 1874 the post office was moved north to the new Centerville hotel & store which was owned by James Caldon. The hotel was located in present day Stanwood. After the move Robert Freeman once again became its postmaster.

On March 14, 1874 Peter McLaughlin and Mr. McNamara opened a general store at Freeman & Caldon's old stand at Centerville. They were wholesale and retail dealers who sold groceries, dry goods, hardware, queensware, clothing and general merchandise. This "old stand" may have been Freeman's original store in old Centerville. Caldon began advertising the Centerville hotel in the Puget Sound Dispatch beginning in June of 1874 and continued to place ads in that newspaper until March of 1876.

The mail came by canoe from Utsalady which was a small mill town about 5 miles east on the northwest side of Camano island. In the spring of 1874 the government refused a low bid of $470 to carry the mail from Centerville to Utsalady as they considered it too high. Also that year George F. Kyle took over again as Centerville's postmaster. In 1875 another town by the name of Centerville was established on George Washington's claim in Lewis county (which would later be renamed Centralia.) The same name for two towns in the same Territory quickly caused annoyance.

On March 16, 1876 the schooner Juanita with Captain Kyle at the helm arrived at Centerville. On February 15, 1877 Peter McLaughlin opened a blacksmith shop, Mr. Logue built a one and a half story residence and Daniel O. Pearson constructed a store 25X40 feet, two stories high, fronting the river. Pearson brought in his stock for the store a month later. That year the steamer Fanny Lake was making semi-weekly trips to Centerville from Seattle. In 1877 Henry Oliver established a dairy farm on the Stillaguamish.

In the summer of 1877 the Postal Department said the name of Centerville had to go. Daniel O. Pearson who was now the Centerville postmaster submitted a new name of Stanwood which was his wife Clara's maiden name. It was said on August 6, 1877 that; "the Postal Department had good sense to change the name of Centerville, in Snohomish county, to Stanwood. Never give that name to a place if you want it to grow. We have seen forty towns by that name during our brief existence, and not one of them ever had a thousand inhabitants. About twelve years ago a harmless lunatic built a brothel on Coos Bay and called it Centerville; as if any town could possibly rally around such a nucleus. It stood vacant for years and is today (1877) abandoned, while towns like Marshfield, North Bend, and Eastport have sprang up all about. Stanwood sounds far more sensible."

On August 16, 1877 The Fanny Lake had received a new coat of paint from roof to keel, and was launched at noon. She then steamed for the "inside route" landing at Mukilteo, Tulalip, Stanwood, Skagit City, Utsalady and La Conner.

In the summer of 1878 Stanwood was said to be the "Garden of the Territory," and had neat, comfortable farm houses sitting on broad acres of thriving grain. The view was beautiful, coming from either way to the flats, great grain and hay fields stretched out for miles, with farm buildings that nestled so cozily in the center, or near the groves of fruit trees which every farmer had taken great pains to cultivate. 

The houses and yards were pictures of taste and neatness, nearly every yard was fragrant with beautiful flowers. One of the leading farmers, William B. Moore had said that there would be about 1,500 acres of grain grown here; wheat, oats and barley, yielding an average of 70 bushels to the acre. Henry Oliver kept a large dairy, and made more butter than any farmer in Whatcom or Snohomish counties, and it was said to be as good as any brand in the Territory. Many others made large quantities for the market, but none were as large as Oliver's.

The fruit crop was doing just as well that summer and the trees were all loaded. Strawberries were the rage and many pickers and picnickers had accepted an invitation from J. Livingston who lived about 4 miles above the store, "to come and help themselves." The advice from the returning parties was "if you go wear loose clothes."

Daniel O. Pearson was doing a good business in his store. Pearson along with Peter McLaughlin and McNamara, Oliver and John Irvine, had piles driven for wharves and would soon be planking them. Pearson had a warehouse and McNamara was in the process of getting ready to build a warehouse, and Oliver was to follow with another warehouse shortly after. Irvine's Hall was a scene for many social gatherings and that summer on the Fourth of July a big celebration was planned.

Kate Bradley had a school of 38 pupils and had taught 4 terms in Stanwood. Miss Bradley was a well respected teacher. Miss Bigelow, of Olympia, was teaching about three miles up the river and had about twenty pupils. These school buildings were horrible and the writer could not understand how the teachers and students could spend 6 hours a day in them. 

The sound of the "thud" from the canoe paddle had been replaced by the click of a mower and the songs from the farmers plowing the fields. Acres that produced an abundance of salt grass now load down vessels with golden grain.

The Stanwood Wedding

On August 29, 1878 a grand wedding took place in Stanwood. William Oliver, a resident of town was joined in the net that love weaves to Carrie A. Light of Snohomish City. The excitement was intense as several parties came down from Snohomish and invitations were broadcast over the Flats. It was the intention that as many friends as could be accommodated at Oliver's place join in the festivities. The ceremony was performed by the groom's father Squire H. Oliver, at his residence.

After the usual congratulations ended everyone went over to Irvine's Hall and danced the happy hours along to the tune of delightful music, conducted by Prof. Cady of Skagit. At midnight all were invited to partake of a delicious dinner at Mr. Oliver's house, which had been prepared for the occasion. The dinner was first-class and after the meal everyone again went to the hall and partied the night away until 4:00am. Then after many good-bys and good wishes for the future of the young couple many took to their homes, the rest finding accommodations at Oliver's place.

Vox said that; "Everyone seemed so happy at a wedding (except the benedicts) and may life bring to them its brightest treasures and purest happiness, freely distributing the roses of pleasure, but securely secreting the thorns of anguish, that as time, the changer, rolls around and "new responsibilities" are thrown in their pathway, may their affections grow like a living chain until the wishes of each heart shall be the desire of both."

The Lutheran Church

On March 22, 1879 a new church building was completed in Stanwood. It was the first Norwegian Lutheran church established north of San Francisco. The main part of the church was 24X36 feet. The total length of the building was 50 feet. Unfortunately the building only lasted until 1892 when it caught fire and burned to the ground.

The Stanwood Steamers

On May 29, 1879 Captain Smith of the steamer Josephine delayed the vessel at Stanwood to accommodate a number of persons who were to participate in the Decoration Day exercises. Also in 1879 the Fanny Lake with Captain J. S. Hill at the helm arrived in Stanwood every Monday and Thursday, returning Tuesdays and Fridays.

On July 3, 1880 the Fanny Lake began operating on the Snohomish river and the Mortie was now making regular stops at Stanwood. In the fall of 1880 the steamer Nellie piloted by Captain Ben Stretch was making stops at Stanwood once a week. In the spring of 1882 the steamer Daisy piloted by Captain J. H. Olney was making stops at Stanwood every Monday and Thursday. In the summer of 1883 the steamer W. K. Merwin piloted by Captain W. K. Merwin was calling at Stanwood Mondays and Fridays. In the spring of 1889 the Pacific Navigation Company's Skagit Chief with Captain Henry Bailey, called at Stanwood every Sunday and Thursday. In the winter of 1890 the Cascade was making daily trips to Stanwood. In October of 1890 the W. F. Munroe was stopping at Stanwood on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

On Monday January 3, 1887 the steamer Clara Brown had a rough experience on the Sound. She left Seattle last Thursday night December 30th for the Skagit river after a load of produce for F. J. Hamilton & Co., and on her return Saturday the 1st she stopped at Stanwood and tied up to the wharf. Then all of a sudden a large mass of driftwood, logs and tree stumps came down the river, and after striking the vessel, broke her fastenings. Then a log got in between the rudder and the keel, breaking it which put the steamer out of commission.

She then drifted about a half mile down the Stillaguamish river taking her chances among the snags and driftwood finally landing on the mud flats where she stayed until Sunday morning the 9th when she was pulled off at high tide by the steamer Gazelle and towed to Utsalady where her rudder was repaired. After the repairs were completed she continued on her journey homeward. Mr. Hamilton, who was on board at the time of the accident described the logs and driftwood as a ‘‘whole farm afloat.” He said the result could have been far more serious.

In August of 1891 a company was formed in Stanwood for the purpose of constructing a steamboat to be used for towing and freight business at points between Seattle and Stanwood. In the spring of 1892 the new stern wheel steamer the City of Stanwood, was towed to Seattle by the tug Isabel to have her boiler and machinery installed. The hull was 100 feet long, 22 foot beam and 5 feet 10 inches in the hold. She was built by J. F. T. Mitchell and was owned by Arie & Co. of Stanwood. She was to be used on the rivers of the lower Sound. She was tied up out at Moran Bros. boiler shop to have her boiler installed and then towed over to the Vulcan Iron Works to have the machinery installed.

On August 28, 1892 The City of Stanwood struck a snag in the Stillaguamish and sank from a hole knocked out of her bottom. The crew got ashore safely and arraignments were made the next day to raise her. On January 25, 1894 the City of Stanwood burned to the waters edge at Port Susan for a loss of $8,000. On March 23, 1894 it was reported that the Clare McDonald of Gray's Harbor was to be brought to the Sound to succeeded the City of Stanwood on the Skagit river route. The Clare McDonald was built in Aberdeen in 1891 and was a stern-wheeler. She was 95 feet long and 24.5 feet wide and 5.5 feet deep. Gross tonnage was 230.48 and net tonnage was 118.13.

In the fall of 1895 both the steamer City of Champaign and the steamer Mabel called at Stanwood. The Mabel and the Clan McDonald were owned by the Lilly, Borgardus & Co. At the beginning of 1896 the steamer L. J. Perry called at Stanwood. On July 31, 1897 the City of Bothell came in to Stanwood with a load of brick for the Everett Canning Co. which was building a cannery there. In 1899 the Skagit Queen called at Stanwood

On December 16, 1896 the Anacortes American said that; Two steamers had sunk on Saturday night the 12th, the Daisy sank in Hat slough, at the outlets of the Stillaguamish river, and the Monte Cristo went down in the Skagit river. The steamer Daisy went up Hat slough Saturday the 12th to Brawley Brother’s ranch after a load of bay for Wilson, Hurd &. Co. She loaded her cargo and started out, but not possessing strong enough propelling power was caught by the swift current and forced against the bank and sunk.

Hat slough branches off from the Stillaguamish and makes a cut off into the sound above the Port Susan flats and when the river is up the water rushes out with great force. When the Daisy went down, her hay floated and was said to have gone out to sea. The Daisy, which had been out of commission for about six years, had been recently fixed up by Stanwood people and did a good business bringing hay to market from the flats. One of her owners was a man from Stanwood, who acted as purser, and another acted as engineer. Captain Killcup, who had piloted the Mabel was its master.

The steamer Monte Cristo, which had been running on the Skagit for some time, struck a snag that Saturday night and sunk close to the river bank. She went down three or four miles below Mount Vernon and was passed Sunday the 13th by the City of Champaign as the latter was making her way down the river bound for Anacortes. The upper works were above water and it was probable that the vessel would not be damaged to any great extent.

Stanwood in the 1880's

On November 11, 1882 Stanwood had two large stores, one kept by Daniel Pearson and the other by John Irvine, two saloons, one was operated by James Caldon which was in his hotel, and the other saloon was managed by Eric Hill. In the spring of 1884 Stanwood had two general stores, two hotels, two saloons, a shoe shop, a blacksmith shop, a school house, a dozen residences, and a Good Templars' Lodge with a membership of forty-two.

In 1867 funding for the old telegraph line to New Westminster had dried up and the line began to fall into disrepair. By the 1880's towns in the region began to realize the importance of communication and many towns began to restring the old line and build new lines to each other. On July 8, 1883 it was announced that John H. Irvine and T. S. Adams had established a new telegraph line between Port Susan and Stanwood, a distance of 6 miles.

On October 28, 1887 William B. Stockbridge, who was a prominent hop grower of Puyallup, had purchased a 200 acre farm at the mouth of the Stillaguamish river from Henry Oliver, for $15,000. The property included the townsite of Stanwood.

The Stanwood Fire

On June 1, 1892 a fire broke out in Stanwood which destroyed five stores on one side of the street and three on the other. It was discovered at 9pm in the Stanwood restaurant, and quickly extended to John Armstrong's saloon and the Armstrong hall. It also consumed Smith's hardware store, Hancock's confectionery, a butcher shop and a millinery store, almost entirely destroying the church and a blacksmith's shop. A line of hose was stretched from the steamer Merwin, but it was not long enough. More hose was obtained in the town, but it was of a different size, and nothing could be done but to form a bucket brigade and pass water from the river. In about 2 hours its progress was checked. There were three two-story buildings. A burning timber fell across the telegraph wires, breaking them down and cutting off all communication with the outside.

It was later found that the fire began in the Stanwood hotel a two-story frame building 24X68 feet, with a one-story addition 28X30 feet. Adjoining this was the two-story saloon building belonging to the hotel and was 24X50 feet in size. Near this stood Armstrong's hall, a two-story building 32X64 feet. These buildings covered the entire east half of block 4, and belonged to J. H. Armstrong. About eighty feet north of Armstrong's hall stood the Norwegian Lutheran church, and about seventy feet further north was the two-story general merchandise store of O. K. Melby, and sixty feet from the store was the Melby hotel.

Across the street from the Stanwood hotel stood the two-story general merchandise store of L. H. Smith, the tobacco and confectionery store of Charles Hancock, the butcher shop owned by I. N. Sill, and the blacksmith shop owned by John Haney. These buildings covered the entire west half of block 9. East of Smith's store was the telegraph office, a two-story building. When the fire was discovered it had gained such headway that it was apparent that without better appliances to fight the fire than was at hand the hotel could not be saved, and all energies were then directed to save Armstrong's hall and the Smith store, across the street.

With but a few ladders and buckets the Stanwood boys worked like heroes, but to no avail. The heat was too intense, and at 9pm Armstrong's hall caught fire. A stiff breeze was coming from the south and drove the flames across the street and into the church, which was soon in flames. At this period strong hopes were entertained that Melby's store might be saved. Ladders were raised and a bucket brigade formed. Those on the roof did not quit their post until the building caught fire inside from the intense heat and tongues of flames leaped from every window.

Then the Meiby hotel caught fire, but at that moment the wind veered a little to the west and the boys with axes and crowbars tore off the shingles and siding on the burning building, and the bucket company having found a new supply of water in a slough near by, furnished water as fast as the fire fighters could throw it, and the building was saved. About the time Armstrong's hall fell the Smith store caught fire and was burned. All energies were then directed to save the Miller & Brown building, which was across Broadway, and the telegraph building. The fire was checked at this point by the almost superhuman work of the men.

The log boom men, with their caulked boots, ran over the steep roof on the charred shingles and poured water wherever necessary. The most singular spectacle was the bell tower of the church which was now standing as a charred skeleton with its large bell sixty feet from the ground. After all the other buildings burned had fallen, it too, finally fell.

Stanwood in the 1890's

On July 19, 1891 a large black bear weighing between 500 and 600 pounds made an appearance in Stanwood. A force of men and boys attacked the bear and it ran under Mitchell's millinery store. After considerable effort on the part of the crowd, the bear was driven out from underneath the building and it ran down the dike in the direction of Florence.

In 1894 S. H. Hancock was operating a general store at Stanwood. On May 30, 1895 John H. Irvine after 19 years of operating a general store in Stanwood sold his business to S. A. Thompson. In December of 1898 J. W. Brokaw was operating a store in Stanwood.

On October 25, 1896 the Seattle Post-Intelligencer printed an article about the activity of Stanwood; "Under the flourishing times of a few years ago Stanwood laid the foundation for a thrifty place, and it is moving along well, notwithstanding the depression of the past few years. It has a handsome school house of six rooms, costing $6,000. The Norwegian Lutheran church and the Methodist Episcopal church are good edifices, valued at about $13,000 each. The Masonic hall is a two-story structure creditable to the order, erected two or three years ago at a cost of $1,800."

"In a business way the town is well supplied with the usual stores and four hotels, the Millican house, the Miller house, Hotel Heney and the Melby house. Immense quantities of hay are baled here and shipped. Lilly. Bogrardus & Co. are the lessees of the big Stockbridge warehouse, and do a large business in handling all kinds of farm produce. As a means of promoting the livestock interests, the Stanwood Livestock Association enclosed a tract of land and constructed suitable buildings, with a fine half-mile track, a grandstand and everything complete for holding fairs and trotting meetings."

"Stanwood is already the center of a strong movement in the direction of livestock. This valuable industry has received a great stimulus in the organization of the dairy interests and the farmers are fast learning the substantial worth of the cow."

"The Stanwood Co-operative Creamery Association is becoming noted. Its butter took the first prize at the recent Pierce county fair in Tacoma, It is an organization strictly of the farmers on straight co-operative lines. Its officers are: President, C. Jorgenson; secretary. C. F. Hanson; treasurer, C. Jorgenson. Its directors were; P. Norman. E. P. Hanson, with the president and secretary. The plant installed the most modern equipment, costing $4,000, all paid for by the farmers with dividends received up to the 1st of September. In October they received the first cash dividend for their personal use, and it is understood that all were highly gratified at the size of their checks. Receipts at the creamery are about 5,500 quarts of milk a day, and the output is from 250 to 300 pounds of butter a day. It brings top prices, and finds a ready market in Seattle, Tacoma and Everett, as well as in Alaska and the mining districts."

"As may naturally be inferred, Stanwood's location makes it a desirable place for the manufacture of lumber and shingles. C. Rabel has a combined sawmill and shingle mill capable of cutting 20,000 feet of lumber and 75,000 shingles dally. His plant, costing some $12,000, has been in operation eight or nine years. He employs from sixteen to twenty men. The output of his mill for 1896 will be about 1,000,000 feet of cedar lumber and 10.000,000 shingles. Lauderdale & Campbell have a shingle mill that will cut 50,000 shingles a day, employing twelve men. John Hals is cutting about 50.000 shingles day with twelve men at work."

"Howard & Butler removed their sawmill from Edison about six months ago, and are now located about four miles from Stanwood. They are sawing 60,000 feet of lumber a day. A shingle plant is being aided to the mill which is very complete in every particular, costing about $25,000. Thirty-five men are employed. Venable & Orr are cutting about 20,000 feet of lumber a day with ten men. Their plant cost about $5,000. Dimmick & Taylor have a portable sawmill, which began work three months ago, cutting clear cedar, 5,000 feet a day."

"With these substantial agricultural, manufacturing and commercial opportunities, not forgetting-- by the way, the Great Northern railroad, Stanwood also gives evidence of thrift in its numerous attractive homes, among which may be briefly enumerated those of George J. Ketchum, William B. Stockbridge, occupied at present by Dr. Adams; Daniel O. Pearson. Dr. Mc Eacheran, F. H Hancock, John H. Irvine, K. A. Hall, S. A. Thompson, E. Settum, C. Rabel and Nels Rein."

The Flood of 1896

On November 17, 1896 and for the past four days Stanwood had been underwater. N. Mattercind who lived opposite of the town had his dikes washed out. The river overflowed its banks at Silvana and came raging down along the Great Northern tracks washing it out as well. The railroad tracks north of Stanwood were also washed out. The telephone poles of the Sunset Telephone Co. were washed out north of town.

Stanwood Incorporates

On October 8, 1903 the Anacortes American ran a story about the power of a newspaper to develop a town. What a newspaper can do in the up-building of a town is well illustrated in the experience of Stanwood. No later than last April Stanwood was like hundreds of other villages in the state of Washington, content to let well enough alone and frowning upon any innovation or change from the old order of things, while. it enjoyed the distinction of being one of the earliest settled places in Snohomish county, with some of the richest agricultural land surrounding it, yet nothing ever seemed to quicken the pulse of the sleepy town.

The people of Stanwood had an idea that no newspaper in their town would ever survive the dangers of infancy, for several newspaper ventures had already ended in deserved failure. Furthermore, the people of Stanwood believed that it would be impossible to incorporate the town, as several such attempts had failed. In short, Stanwood was in a Rip Van Winkle sleep from which no one ever expected it to awaken. Then came the establishment of a weekly newspaper the Stanwood Tidings in the face of dismal forebodings on the part of the people of Stanwood.

The Anacortesan of Anacortes was discontinued and the plant was moved to Stanwood. Steadily, persistently the paper began advocating the incorporation of the town. Public sentiment began to crystallize around the idea of incorporation. A new dignity was lent to the town. Signs of awakening life began to appear. A lawyer, hunting a location, became interested in the town through the weekly paper and cast in his lot with the town. He was the one who helped in the red tape part of incorporation.

Then the impossible happened. The good people of the town of Stanwood voted for incorporation by a large majority. Since that time two franchises have been granted, one for an electric car line from the main part of the city to the depot; the other franchise was for an electric light plant, water works and street car service in the town of Stanwood. New sidewalks were being constructed and there was every indication that the town was fully alive and rapidly expanding commercially.

No one can deny that the Stanwood Tidings was largely responsible for this changed order of things, for this resurrection of a live town from a dead one. In every town, in a greater or less degree, a pushing, energetic newspaper is one of the most potent influences in the growth of that town and yet there are businessmen in every city who begrudged a little patronage to the local newspaper.

Stanwood in the 1900's

On April 28, 1904 Peter Wilson, the owner of the Palace saloon at Stanwood was shot and wounded by a lone highwayman. The bandit entered the saloon masked to his eyes and carrying a revolver. He ordered the saloonkeeper and several patrons to hold up their hands, but they paid no attention to him. After the second command he fired, wounding the saloonkeeper in the chest. The wound was not considered fatal and Wilson was sent to a hospital in Seattle.

The second bank in Snohomish county was the Commercial Bank of Snohomish County established in 1903 as a private bank run by Stockbridge and Brokaw at Stanwood. On May 30, 1904 the articles of incorporation had been filed for the Bank of Stanwood with a capital of $25,000. The doors opened on August 8, 1904 and the new bank succeeded the Commercial Bank. W. C. Brokaw was the cashier of the new bank.

On August 4, 1904 Stanwood and Anacortes had a baseball game. The steamer Lilly brought in around 100 spectators from Stanwood to watch the game. Stanwood met defeat at the hands of Anacortes at Athletic park. It was 16 to 2 and would have been 16 to 0 had it not been for an error on the part of ”Lester’s Colts" in the ninth inning. There was no time in the history of Anacortes when a more gentlemanly and ladylike excursion ever visited the place.

The Stanwood people were all good neighbors and pleasant guests. They were full of life and fun and take defeat as pleasantly and with as much ease and grace as could be expected from anyone, but they just couldn't bat. They were a willing people to try, and looked on defeat with an eye of indifference. They go to work with as much confidence when the score stands seven to nothing as though it stood the same way in their favor and they played their best, but they just couldn't pitch.

The Stanwood boys were fine, nimble specimens of perfect manhood, and could turn summersaults in the air, stand on their heads and run foot races, but they couldn't slide home that Sunday and the lads from the land of milk and honey went down in defeat before the Anacortes boys. Anacortes was now at the head of the class having for several games defeated all comers, and Manager Lester was preparing to challenge Seattle, Sedro-Woolley, Everett and Whatcom. The following year in August of 1905, the Stanwood team played Anacortes twice and they won both games. They had practiced hard all year after losing to them and their efforts had paid off well.

On October 31, 1904 the first spike in the short-line railroad which connected Stanwood with the Great Northern, had been driven by Mayor Pearson of Stanwood. Work on the road was pushed ahead rapidly. The line was used for both freight and passenger traffic. It did away with the stage line which operated between the depot and the town. The railway was maintained by J. W. Hall, who hauled passengers and freight from the depot to the center of the town with a steam locomotive called "the dinky," it was a decrepit old Climax locomotive, which wheezed noisily through the streets. For the next 30 years it was dubbed "the world's shortest railroad," running seven-eighths of a mile to East Stanwood. In 1938 due to a lack of business the line was discontinued.

On March 29, 1906 Stanwood got electric lights. Mr Clements of the Stanwood Tidings newspaper said that; "it would be a pleasant and memorial event." The Anacortes American said that if the price of the lights were too high it would most certainly be memorial. They then congratulated Clements for his enthusiasm.

In 1907 Stanwood was said to be the metropolis and center for a miniature Holland, located in the northwestern part of Snohomish county, where thousands of acres of land had been reclaimed from the sea by a system of dikes reaching for many miles along the coast. These lands were formerly flooded by salt water at high tide but now substantial dikes hold the water back and the land for many years had been producing crops of oats and other grains more wonderful than anything ever known in the West. From 160 to 180 bushels of oats to the acre was no uncommon crop in the flats surrounding Stanwood. The farmers on these tracts of land surrounding the town have long been capitalists and it was safe to venture that there was no more wealthy agricultural district in the State of Washington.

In addition to being an agricultural center, Stanwood was also an important milling town. The Stanwood Lumber Co.'s plant was one of the largest mills in Snohomish county. It employed many men and added very substantially to Stanwood's annual payroll.

On August 10, 1909 a new steel drawbridge across the Stillaguamish river connecting Island and Snohomish counties was completed. Around 5,000 residents from the two counties picnicked in Stanwood that day. The bridge was constructed by the Sheeley Bridge company, and took four months to complete. Ever since construction began, the citizens from both counties had carefully planned this joint celebration, which was the largest and the grandest ever seen in Stanwood at the time.

At noon that day a grand parade was formed on Market street, headed by the Stillaguamish band, of Stanwood, and also the Silvana brass band. The long procession then moved across the bridge and into Island county. Here several minutes were spent in social greetings and hand-shaking with the Island county delegation, after which Attorney G. H. Mitchell introduced Mayor A. R. Klaeboe of Stanwood, who welcomed the guests. Judge Still, of Coupeville delivered the oration of the day. Later on Stanwood beat Arlington 6 to 2 in a baseball game.

On December 4, 1909 the town of Stanwood was reported to be nine feet under water and residents of the place were escaping in boats. Burlington, for the first time in its history, had been inundated, and Avon and Sedro Woolley were suffering from flooded stores, homes and streets.

On June 6, 1911 Stanwood had a population 1,200. Travelers passing through on the coastline trains never failed to note with interest the quaint engine and car waiting on the connecting line for the incoming Stanwood passengers. The following were some of the businesses operating in Stanwood during the summer of 1911; The Star Furniture store. They sold furniture, suit cases, trunks, wallpaper, stoves, ranges, etc. The store opened in 1909 by Mr. Peterson but after one year J. E. Syre bought him out.

The Montana Livery was one of the two livery stables in town. They sold rubber tire rigs and carriages of every description. Mr. Peterson had been in the livery, feed and sale stable business since 1907. He came from Montana to take charge of this stable. He had 19 head of horses and made a specialty of dray work and long drives. The barn was located near the depot. Mr. Peterson's son Porter Peterson was the manager and part owner.  The Hartney Style Shop was a well known clothing store which sold a full line of men's hats and shoes. This was the only men's store in Stanwood in 1911 and they kept three tailors working full time. Hartney had been in business since 1908 and his business was increasing.

The S. A. Thompson Co. was a popular general store in Stanwood. They sold dry goods, notions, shoes, furnishings, groceries, flour and feed, etc. The store had been in business since 1881 when John H. Irvine established the store. S. A. Thompson bought Irvine out in 1895. The Stanwood Meat Market was a dealer in fresh and cured meats and had a large trade throughout the city. They were established in 1909 and Mr. Johnson the proprietor had lived in Stanwood his entire life. They made their own sausages and lard and did their own slaughtering.

The Bank of Stanwood was located in the central part of town. The bank was protected by Pinkerton's National Detective Agency. They were held in the highest esteem and confidence in both business and social circles in town. The Stanwood Livery was prospering under the management of Andrew Larson who had first class rigs at reasonable rates. It was the oldest barn in the county. The Daniel O. Person store was established in 1877 and handled dry goods, groceries, boots, and shoes, etc, etc. Pearson had been a member of the town council for six years.

The Stanwood Laundry was operated by D. R. Crandall who came from Livingston, MT to start the business. He employed eight people full time and always had the latest machinery. The Stanwood Co-Operative Creamery had a good reputation as a fair employer. The creamery manufactured "Gilt Edge" butter and had a large trade throughout the region. They had a large workforce and paid some of the highest wages in the industry. The firm had been in business since 1896 and had a daily output of 1,700 pounds. Their butter won first prize in the 1909 and 1910 Washington State Fair. A. L. Anderson was the manager of the company.

The Stanwood Hardware Co. Inc. had one of the largest and finest hardware stores in that section of the country. Mr. Davis, the manager, took charge of this store November 1, 1906. The store was incorporated on October 8, 1902. They handled everything in the line of shelf and heavy hardware, farm machinery, etc. The People's Union Meat Market were dealers in all kinds of fresh and salt meats. B. E. Bendle was manager. They paid the highest prices to the farmers for veal, mutton, beef, or pork. Bendle had been in business since 1903. The People's Union Inc. was their general merchandise store and they were agents for Moline, Studebaker, and Berg wagons and buggies. They also sold advanced farm equipment and machinery.

Ruth's Billiard Parlors was one of the best known firms in Stanwood and was extremely popular with the citizens. Cigars, tobacco and smoker's supplies were sold there. The place was kept clean and in good condition for the players. Mr. Ruth remodeled the pool hall the summer of 1911. George J. Ketchum was mayor of Stanwood in 1911 and had one of the largest stores in town. His store sold dry goods, men's clothes, boots and shoes, groceries, etc. He had been in business since 1893. Ben Willard's furnishings sold furniture, wall paper, carpets, etc. Ben Willard was the only undertaker in Stanwood and handled a full line of coffins and caskets. He was a reliable man and had sympathy for the families.

On June 25, 1915 the Everett Labor Journal printed an article about Stanwood; "Stanwood is a flourishing town of an estimated population of 1,000 and situated on the Stillaguamish river and the Great Northern railway. Its industries consist of two shingle mills, one saw mill, a farmers' co-operative creamery, a milk condensery and a fruit and vegetable cannery. The town is supplied with excellent spring water by a gravity system, and special water main from the Stillaguamish river which affords a high pressure for fire protection. Churches of various denominations and public schools are in evidence in the town."

"The entire district is populated by a thrifty class of people, who are afforded every convenience both of a business and social character, the latter consisting of many fraternal organizations and similar bodies. Stanwood has more than doubled its population since the date of its incorporation in the year 1903. A small settlement marked the present business section, with here and there a small cabin, situated along the river banks and accessible to steamboats, which was the only mode of getting freight in the early days and the only means of reaching the outside towns."

"The town has kept pace with the development of the adjacent country and with other Snohomish towns. The activities of the Commercial Club have been the means of advancing the community, being responsible for a number of achievements that have placed the town on the map for all time. Only a few years ago the people of Camano island were compelled to reach town (their only outlet by land) by crossing the river on a ferry, and at times with much difficulty."

"The island is now connected with Stanwood by a splendid steel bridge, which, recently completed, has proven to be of great commercial advantage. Another small bridge has recently been constructed, crossing Davis' slough by Island and Snohomish counties, making complete and direct the communication with this fertile island now being developed into dairy farms. The most beneficial and recent improvements in Stanwood consists of its sewer system and paving of the main streets with brick and concrete sidewalks."

"The cost of these improvements was $25,000, bonds being issued to pay for the same. The town's electric system is second to no other in the county of the same size and population. The town of Stanwood embraces a much larger area than that encompassed in its narrow boundary lines, as it includes that portion of the district which is locally known as East Stanwood. This community is rapidly growing in a westerly direction, and may be expected to do so still further indeed, until the two parts become an undivided whole. East Stanwood has developed wonderfully during the past few years, and possesses a most attractive residence district in addition to its growing commercial activities."

Stanwood in 1940

In 1940 Stanwood had a large oyster cannery and two fruit and vegetable packing plants. Thousands of bushels of oats, destined to be "Quaker Rolled Oats," annually passed through the local warehouse on their way to Iowa. Peas were harvested by the ton.

In 1943 Twin City Foods was established in Stanwood as a small frozen vegetable processing company.

Stanwood Today

In 2021 Stanwood had a population of almost 9,000 and continues to be an agricultural center surrounded by many farms. Twin City Foods which is located where the steamers landed and the warehouses once stood continues to a be premier frozen vegetable food processor. Amtrak has a platform in Stanwood for passengers and it is served by intercity Amtrak Cascades. The Pearson House Museum situated on the Pacific Highway at the north end of town holds many of the area’s artifacts. 

The Floyd Norgaard community hall built in 1902 is next to the Pearson house and has been carefully remodeled to its former glory, and it can be rented for all kinds of social gatherings. The Stanwood Hotel and Saloon was established in 1894 and has been renovated and continues to serve travelers and locals alike. Many shops and boutiques line the streets catering to the citizens, and the Viking Village with its Uff-Da shoppe and Duck Inn are well known and popular with the citizens.

Take a trip back in time and drive the old Pacific Highway to visit Stanwood.