Langley History (con't)

The Langley Marina, early 1900s

The Company then built a dock at a cost of $5,000 below the bluff near the current intersection of First Street and Anthes. The dock extended 999 feet. Jacob Anthes then built a general store and post office across the street from the dock. He constructed his own home next to the store and created a water system by tapping into a creek that ran down the hill past his home. Sternwheelers docked regularly at Langley to deliver mail and settlers to the area.

Looking North along Anthes Ave

Hard economic times hit the south end of Whidbey Island a short time later, and many families left their farms. After many severe storms, in 1894 the Langley dock broke up and the big boats stopped visiting the town. Later, however, the Alaska Gold Rush and the development of Elliott Bay promoted an economic boom in the area. A school district was established in 1898, and a schoolhouse was built to accommodate the children of the area. In 1899 a road district was organized and roads were improved in the following years.

Looking down Wharf Street
towards the Langley Dock

In 1902 the Improvement Company deeded all the property back to Anthes for $3,000. Mr. Anthes built a new dock in the Wharf Street area. The new dock was U-shaped and had two driveways with a warehouse at the end in which to store freight. Steamers and tugboats began to use Langley as a port and freight area once again. Business developed and a wide dirt road and a wooden plank sidewalk were built from the dock area up the bluff to the business center.

Looking West along First Street
sometime between 1913 and 1921

The dock changed ownership several times and many businesses came and went. In 1913 a group of citizens worked together to incorporate Langley into a self-governing class-four town. The new town elected F.E. Furman as its first mayor. A fire engine was purchased and a volunteer fire department started. An 8' x 8' jail was constructed with a lean-to at the side under which to park the fire engine. The fire department became a part of Fire District 3 in 1999 and is still staffed, in part, by volunteers.

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