Historic Langley

Circa 1902: House built on corner of Second Street and Anthes Avenue.

Circa 1910. Looking west from First Street (Courtesy South Whidbey Historical Society).

A two-story house at the corner of Second Street and Anthes Avenue built by Jacob Anthes at the turn of the 20th Century was owned in 1906 by Nola and Francis M. Vroman. From 1911-1915, "the Vromans lived in the rear of the house with their multitude of children and the high school classes were held in the front part." (Lorna Cherry). It then housed the "Elite Restaurant" until it was purchased by Thomas H. and Myrtle Marshall in 1912 and housed the telephone office for a short time.

On September 13, 1917, the Primavera family moved from Bayview to Langley and settled in the house. On January 25, 1919, Joseph bought the property for $450 and set up his shoe and harness repair business there. There was a small town library in the back of the house, and ten-year-old Victor, an avid reader, was appointed "town librarian." He read every book.

After the Primaveras moved to their store on First Street in 1922, the building remained unoccupied until Dewy Hoekstra rented it from the Primaveras in the late 1930s and ran the Columbia Lumber Yard there. "With the purchase of one gallon of paint at Columbia Lumber Company, customers could buy a set of mixing bowls for 55 cents." (Whidbey Record , 1935).

Victor Primavera, who inherited the property from his father, Joseph, sold the building and lot in 1946 to E. R. Kirk who established a brush factory where salal and huckleberry were packed for shipment to florists. The brush plant was later moved to the old Berry Packing building at the marina.

1968. Old Brush plant and Columbia Lumber Company building prior to demolition.

1968: Building demolished.

Bernard Waterman purchased the property in 1967, and donated it to the Langley Community Club in 1968. The building was demolished in 1968 to make room for the offices of the Whidbey Record.

1973: Whidbey Record Office

Circa 1975. Octagonal Whidbey Press Building (Courtesy Langley City Hall).

The property was leased by the Whidbey Press, and the South Whidbey Record moved into a new octagonal building in 1973. The building featured an expanded stationary store as well as the news and advertising offices. When the Record office moved to the Porter building across Anthes Avenue, the octagonal building was used for a time as a gift shop.

The lot remained empty once the Whidbey Record moved to the Porter Building across the street in 1993 and the octagonal building was removed.

1995. Empty lot at Second Street and Anthes Avenue (Courtesy John Adams).

According to Anna Primavera, the Whidbey Press sold the lot and building to Craig N. Smith in 1992 who planned to build a three story office building there. However, Mr. Smith and the Langley administration had differences of opinion about the building plans and he changed his mind and had a fence built surrounding the property.

1997: Nancy Nordhoff buys the property.

In 1997, Nancy Nordhoff bought the lot and held a contest to choose the best design for a community park. Jay and Kathleen Davenny and Fred and Dana Moffet won the contest. The park was dedicated September 20, 1998, and given to the City.

1998. Breaking ground for park (South Whidbey Record, 8/1/1998).

1998. Community Park under construction (Courtesy Ron Lind).

2004. Community Park (Courtesy Hannah Wahl).

A shelter, heron sculpture, prayer (peace) wheel, picnic tables and a time capsule, not to be opened until 3098, were placed in the park.