1990-1999

Anacortes American Home

Our Century
A look back at Anacortes’ last 100 years from the pages of the Anacortes American

1990-1999: Honoring the past, looking toward the future

During decade of change, efforts begin to preserve history & natural beauty

By JON BAUER
American staff writer

If the 20th Century's first decade in Anacortes was about the mills and canneries that fed the city in its early years, then its last decade was a final farewell to those industries and a witness to changes in the town's economic make-up and skyline.

While the mills -- and later the oil refineries -- built and sustained Anacortes throughout the decade, residents were reminded that those industries also exacted a heavy price at times.

The community continues to mourn the loss of six workers -- Ron Granfors, Wayne Dowe, James Berlin, Warren Fry, Ted Cade and David Murdzia -- who were lost in a flash fire in November of 1998 at Equilon's Puget Sound Refining Co., plant. The workers were opening a large drum at the refinery's delayed coking unit following a power outage when the drum's partially processed contents spilled from the bottom of the drum and because of its high temperature ignited in a fiery flume.

The fire forced changes at the refinery, including the installation of equipment that now puts workers out of harm's way. And Equilon paid a record $4.1 million settlement following a first-of-its-kind agreement with the state Department of Labor and Industries. Lawsuits filed by the families of the fallen workers were filed, but won't be heard in court until 2001.

When Shell and Texaco built their refineries in Anacortes in the 1950s, management and workers probably never considered that the two companies might merge one day. That's what happened in the latter half of the decade, but not without some controversy.

The Federal Trade Commission, concerned the merger would hurt competition, required that Shell sell its Anacortes refinery to an independent company. Workers were not confident that a responsible buyer could be found with the same commitment that Shell had shown over the decades. But by 1998, a buyer, Tesoro, was found and fears were eventually calmed with the recognition of the company's commitment to the refinery's workers and continued improvements at the plant.

The Dakota Creek-built passenger ferry Intintoli

While the days of mills and canneries had long since waned, Anacortes still had a resident shipbuilder to connect its workers to the waterfront. Dakota Creek Industries saw a resurgence in shipbuilding in the latter half of the decade with the construction of fire passenger-only, aluminum-hulled fast ferries and the construction of five large tugs, destined to guide oil tankers and prevent further environmental disasters, such as the Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound, from happening again.

The real change in the city's industrial base was no better demonstrated than by the arrival of health care software developer Sun Healthcare Systems, now SHS.com. The company has grown steadily in just a few years and now is building its new headquarters on property purchased from the Port of Anacortes.

The software maker's new campus sits on land that was the site of the Morrison Mill and later Scott Paper Co.'s pulp mill. But before it could build there, the Port of Anacortes had to spend $2 million of the $3 million purchase price cleaning up toxic waste left by the pulp operation.

The smokestack at the mill site, the only reminder of its mill days, remains at Seafarers' Memorial Park, but itself was a subject of controversy.

After losing one smokestack (The Anacortes Lumber and Box stack on the Guemes Channel waterfront) to decay and finally 30 pounds of explosives, sentiment grew to save the Morrison Mill stack from a similar fate. After hours of public testimony, the Port of Anacortes voted 3-2 to try and preserve the stack rather than tear it down. Commissioner Ken Moore said it was important to save the stack as a monument to the jobs that the mills, canneries and shipyards brought to Anacortes during the century. But Commissioner Chuck Mallary said the stack amounted to a monument to pollution.

Perhaps they are both correct.

History was a focus of the community during the century's last decade. Anacortes can still claim a commercial fishing fleet, though it has dwindled from its heyday. And the members of that fleet, past and present, were recognized with the refurbishment and move to a new location of the Seafarers' Memorial. First erected in the 70s, the memorial carries the names of those lost while working at sea, but in recent years had taken on a list at its location at the foot of B Dock. Moved to South Harbor Park, now Seafarers' Memorial Park, the monument is complimented by its location near the Lady of the Sea sculpture.

In addition to the loss of the one smokestack, Anacortes also lost the Semar Block building, that while decayed beyond repair still held beauty in its red bricks. The loss of those two structures prompted meetings to discuss how to keep other structures and landmarks from sliding into oblivion. Discussions, including talk of a historic preservation committee, continue, as Anacortes attempts to balance preservation of its history with the continual change and growth.

What ever success those efforts have, they cannot halt the evolution of our city and the march of time. The city's final mill fire is proof of that.

Anacortes Veneer Inc., started in 1939 as a cooperative effort, financed by the mill workers themselves. The co-op eventually disbanded, but the mill continued for a few years lastly as Custom Plywood. But in 1992 the abandoned mill burned to its pilings in a suspected arson fire, maybe a more fitting end than moldering into the sea.

Songwriter Neil Young, then, provides the appropriate epitaph.

"It's better to burn out, than to fade away."

Chronology

1990

A group of parents protests a decision by the Anacortes School District to use a specific reading curriculum in kindergarten through sixth grades that they say promotes Satanism and witchcraft. More than 400 attend a hearing, some defending, others attacking the Impressions reading material. In the end a review panel finds the material is appropriate, and while it uses fantasy and legend, it doesn't promote witchcraft.

Paul Luvera, civic leader, former state senator and totem pole carver, dies at the age of 92.

An Anacortes man is arrested by federal agents who say he smuggled 42 tons of marijuana through Anacortes in 1986 and 1987.

1991

While off-loading the Exxon Los Angeles at the Texaco refinery dock a pump bursts and spills approximately 210,000 gallons of Alaskan crude oil. About 4,200 gallons reaches Fidalgo Bay, killing 35 birds, oiling another 36 and fouling mud flats and beaches in the bay. The state fines Texaco $20,000 in addition to $5 million in clean-up costs.

Finding his mounted remains in poor condition, Seattle's Museum of History and Industry removes Bobo from the Anacortes Museum.

Mayor Jim Rice, after announcing he would not seek another term, dies in November of lung cancer. Rice had served the city, off and on, for 18 years. Days later Councilman Ray Separovich dies.

1992

Tom Preston, the city's film commission director is identified as a suspect in the 1987 death of a Las Vegas 17-year-old girl. Preston is later arrested in South Dakota, taken to Nevada and convicted in the girl's murder.

The Custom Plywood mill at 35th and V Avenue, now closed, burns down in an apparent arson fire. The plant opened in 1939 as Anacortes Veneer, Inc., a cooperative venture of worker-shareholders.

1993

Turmoil and turnover at the Anacortes Police Department. In an effort to force his retirement, the city hires a former FBI agent, Pat Beattie, to oversee police chief Tony Lippe. Lippe takes a medical leave and later resigns, as Beattie is made acting police chief.

Shelley McGuffey, 25, is gunned down in a Mount Vernon parking lot allegedly by her estranged husband, Michael. Shelley's mother later sues the city, claiming Anacortes Police failed to protect her daughter after her daughter had made complaints about her husband.

1994

After two levies fail to earn enough votes, the commissioners for the Fidalgo Pool and Fitness Center announce they will close the pool while plans are made to reorganize.

After pleading guilty to taking money from a police department drug fund, Assistant Chief Dave Mead resigns.

Anacortes' new police chief Mike King is hired, signaling an end to a tumultuous period for the police department.

The Anacortes Seahawks softball team, coached by Tom Swapp, wins the state AA softball championship.

1995

The pool reopens with a combination of volunteer staff and donations, until a more modest levy request passes.

Burl Ives, Anacortes resident, folk singer and actor, dies after a long illness. Friends, such as Eddie Albert, John Denver and Randy Sparks of the New Christie Minstrels perform at a memorial service for Ives.

Anacortes drops 12 spots to No. 37 in the "100 Best Small Towns in America."

The Fidalgo Center opens its doors, housing the Anacortes Senior Center and Head Start.

1996

The Samish Indian Nation wins its long-fought battle to reestablish its standing with the federal government as a recognized tribe.

Dakota Creek Industries builds the first two of its passenger-only fast ferries. The shipbuilder will finish five such boats before the end of the decade, and will later start construction on five special tugs for Crowley Marine.

1997

Local officials and business leaders undertake a campaign to fight a decision by the Washington State Ferry system to cancel the international run between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C. The campaign works as the state Transportation Commission agrees to keep the run active while efforts are made to market the route and increase ridership.

Shell and Texaco announce plans to merge their refining and marketing operations, but the Federal Trade Commission will require Shell to sell its Anacortes refinery.

1998

Tesoro, a company with refineries in Alaska, announces it will buy the Shell refinery.

Six Skagit County men die in a flash fire at Equilon's Puget Sound Refining Co. when a six-story drum at the delayed coking unit is opened prematurely and high-temperature, partially processed material pours from the drum and ignites.

1999

Anacortes loses two of its historical icons. Both the Anacortes Lumber and Box smokestack and the Semar Block building are razed because of concerns about safety.

Those concerned about such losses meet and discuss ways in which historic structures might be saved. A historic preservation committee is one suggestion.

The state Department of Labor and Industries and Equilon agree to a $4 million settlement following L&I's investigation into the fatal 1998 fire at the refinery.

Anacortes' Seafarers' Memorial is renovated and moved to South Harbor Park, which is renamed Seafarers' Memorial Park.

Sun Healthcare Systems, a software developer, purchases property along the Fidalgo Bay waterfront for its future headquarters, now under construction. The company says the building will allow the company to continue its growth and employ up to 300 employees in the future. -- J. B.

© 2000 Skagit Valley Publishing Co.
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