We took a summer look-see at Whidbey Island one afternoon, Dee, Helen and I, a jaunt along island roads other than the highway, down to Monroe’s Landing first where we watched the boat races being conducted. The weather was wonderful, making one remember that the Indians called Whidbey “paradise!”

There was so much to see, Ebey’s Prairie and the tall bluffs along the shore of West Beach. Driving through Coupeville we were treated to an unusual sight, a mother deer with her twin fawns galloping across the greensward off Main Street! Downtown Coupeville was full of tourists, as usual, with the town wharf surrounded by small boats. Now the town is looking forward to the tall ships sailing in. What would Captain Tom Coupe have said if he was with us that afternoon of today?

Driving along Madrona Way, the tall red-limbed madrona trees guard the waterfront, while wild sweetpeas and ocean spray cover the roadway slant. San de Fuca, that part of the island which holds so much history, lay redundant in the afternoon sun. The first district school house still stands on the hill; the county’s first courthouse is still standing at the head of the cove, while one of the several older trees near the waterfront is supposed to be the hanging tree. Many years before, a man killed an early day storekeeper on North Whidbey and paid dearly for his effort.

From San de Fuca, back in the 1900s when San de Fuca was to have become a Northwest city, lots were sold as far north as Hastie Lake for $100 a piece! That was when plans were being laid to build a canal from San de Fuca west so that big boats could come through on their way to Seattle! When our family came to the island in the 1920s, the tops of the trees that had been cut down were still on an even line!

We’d go out to lunch at Coupeville’s Tyee Restaurant. The restaurant and motel is located in the same place where it was since the early 1920s. Every year the Fourth of July was celebrated at Prairie Center with a ball game between Coupeville and Oak Harbor. There was a small parade, and various home-spun booths, along with Prairie Center Mercantile.

Back down Main Street we note so many historical buildings, such as the Masonic Hall, which used to be used as a community hall on Saturdays. St. Mary’s Catholic church began as a Congregational church, then a Methodist church, then finally as St. Mary’s. The Academy, still standing, as part of St. Mary’s, was the biggest college north of Seattle. Don’t forget the big, tall white house nestled near the Methodist church where the Neil family lived when they first moved to Coupeville.

Down to the waterfront to watch the small boat races in Penn Cove! The breeze was perfect, the tiny sailboats bobbed happily along the waters. Then as we head home, past lovely Town Park and down Madrona Way.

We recalled a journey home from Coupeville one wintry day, riding with another reporter. The road was icy, and at the top of a short hill I mentioned to the driver that he was going “too fast!” He put on the brakes and the car spun around and backed down the rest of the hill, coming to rest right at the edge of the embankment! We made it! Oh!

We were not a part of the voting public of Coupeville, but Coupeville is very much a part of us.

We were editor (and reporter and photographer) for several years, and spent every Friday in town, mostly at the school and on Front Street. That was where all of the news seemed to be. One could sit on a high stool at the soda fountain in the drugstore, drinking a vanilla soda, and hear most of what was going on in town. The high school was another source, mostly in the area where the cooks prepared the hot lunches. If one couldn’t find any news in those two places, there was no news!

Now the big item is Big Rock on South Main Street. The rock is the largest of its kind in the state of Washington. An espresso stand is to be built in front of the rock, and some controversy has erupted. Just a suggestion: build the stand to one side of the property, leaving a wide piece of lawn to the rock. Name it “Big Rock Espresso.” A lot of people who don’t know the rock was there would find it in a hurry. A contemporary rival to Front Street. How’s that?

Dorothy Neil has written and recorded local history for more than 50 years.