Located several blocks off the main drag is a 1911 Queen Anne style Train Depot that was in service from 1911 until 1956. It now houses the Depot Art Center. We enjoyed not only the works of exceptional local artists, but also what had been preserved of the historic interior … such as the terrazzo marble floor and Tiffany enamel tiled wainscoting. Next to the depot is the W.T Preston, a historic sternwheeler that operated as a snagboat. The two dollar tour offered a unique adventure to wander around the boat peeking into the crew’s quarters and climbing the narrow and steep stairs between the three decks. Eating well must have been a priority since three of the fourteen member crew were cooks. Interestingly the lead cook had private quarters on the same deck as the officers.

Of all the marinas in town, the Cape Sante Marina is the most beautiful. Here the Lady of the Sea stands watch awaiting the return of her husband from the sea. Next to the statue is a monument that pays tribute to local fishermen and women who lost their lives at sea. We were told that the 14 names listed for 1983 were due to two fishing boats (the Altair and the Americus) sinking in the Bering Strait. It was a bona fide tragedy for the town and nearly wiped out a generation of young men. There is an additional memorial to these 14 men near the W.T. Preston.

Captain Hogan's House (1890)

Adjacent to Old Town are charming residential neighborhoods’. Mixed in with the restored Victorian homes are old time corner markets, historic churches, community buildings such as the Croatian Community Meeting Hall, and the new library (The library is comfortable … has a fireplace in the periodical room and the most organized friends of the library book store we have ever seen).

A splendid example of one of the many Victorian homes in Anacortes.

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