Behind the Sign

Over the six years and counting that Meyer Sign has been bringing you its Tales of the Magic Skagit stories, we've shared a number of historical accounts -- spanning a period from "time immemorial" to the 20th century. Our hands down obsession, however, has been with a late 19th century utopian community that once existed in the Bow/Blanchard area off today's Chuckanut Road. "They Called the Town Equality" is a multi-episode history of the community known as Equality Colony, with stories and podcast interviews featuring Sayer Theiss, Melissa Stowe, and Robert Burns. We've put them all together in one handy dandy place, so settle in and steep yourself in one of the Magic Skagit's most interesting bits of history.

Laurie Wells was truly a "Skagit Original" whose life and artwork was celebrated by an exhibit at the Skagit County History Museum in La Conner -- a place that Laurie depicted in many of his artworks. But Laurie Wells was more than an artist. He and his wife Marian were active in the Grange movement, and Laurie was also instrumental in the creation of annual flower shows that would evolve into today's Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

April 1 in the Year of Our Lord 2025 marks the 42nd annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival — the spring celebration of the agricultural product among so many that single-bloomingly put a pin in the Magic Skagit on the world map of seasonal celebrations — one that if not as well known as the Cherry Blossom Festival in our nation’s capitol attracts no less passionate a throng of admirers, domestic and international. How big a throng, you might ask? Last year the Magic Skagit’s tulip fields attracted 600,000 tourists who contributed an estimated $83 million in revenue in 2024. This is our Meyer Sign tribute to the Magic Skagit's iconic bloom.

The rich history of rodeo in Skagit County is deeply intertwined with the life of Wick Peth, renowned as "the original rodeo bullfighter." Born on April 15, 1930 in Mount Vernon, Washington, Wick grew up in a family of homesteaders and ranchers. The Peth family had a significant influence on the settlement and development of the Skagit Valley. John Peth Sr., Wick's great-grandfather, left Wisconsin in the mid-1870s for Washington Territory, laying the groundwork for a storied family legacy.

Legendary author Tom Robbins passed on at his home in La Conner on February 9, 2025. He was 92 years old and still growing. Back in 1974, just as his literary career was taking off, he gave a high school commencement address in Oak Harbor. It was, quite truly, a speech for the ages -- given all that was going on in the early 1970s. What is most amazing, however, is just how relevant his sentiments remain. "Tommy Rotten's" words on the evening of June 7, 1974 were preserved and shared by Fred Obee, a former Oak Harbor newspaper editor. Thanks, Fred!

Back in 2022, Meyer Sign teamed up with the Skagit County Fairgrounds and Don Wick (Mr. Skagit County himself) to launch an experiment in Magic Skagit oral history. On the first day of that year’s Fair we gathered a group of local dignitaries together for a ribbon cutting on what has become an annual Skagit County Fair exhibit: the Meyer Sign Fair History Booth — a place where people can revisit and relate their memories of Fairs past.

Carrie was a trailblazer for women's rights at a time when female involvement in public life was rare. She was a graduate of the University of Washington, making her a pioneering woman in a still-developing Washington Territory.

Among the lush greenery and rugged terrain of the Skagit Valley, a utopian concept once flowered in the early 20th century. The settlement known as Equality Colony — located on what is today the eponymous Colony Road — was a bold experiment in the creation of a self-reliant socialist and cooperative community. During the decade in which it existed between 1897 and 1907, Equality Colony was a community in which idealists, reformers, and those searching for a better society came together from around the country to forge a new community model based on cooperation, equality, and shared labor. While barely a trace of the colony exists today, its brief success and history created a legacy that is simultaneously intriguing yet also informative.

Long time residents of the Skagit Valley with an interest in local history are most likely familiar with the name "Dick Fallis." As the creator of Tales of the Magic Skagit, Dick's story is an inspiration to me, and one that I've long wanted to share. Thanks to Dan Royal, historian of the Skagit County Pioneer Association, for making this tribute possible.

Of the many immigrant stories associated with the Skagit Valley, one of the most amazing has to be that of Legson Kayira. Born in the African country of Malawi during the Second World War, Kayira embarked on an incredible journey across Africa, by foot, with the goal of attending Skagit Valley College -- a goal that took him two years and thousands of miles to fulfill. Meyer Sign's Skagit Valley Youth History Project intern Morgan White tells his story in this Tales of the Magic Skagit episode.

“The city of Mount Vernon now boasts a park of its own, Hillcrest Park, ideally located in a grove of virgin timber that covers a thirty-acre tract. The land was purchased five years ago from J. C. McGinnitie at a cost of $6,000… with the final payment of $1,200 made just a few days ago, interest in the park has been revived…This week the water company offered to build a water main for a distance of 150 feet if the city will build the remaining 500 feet necessary to reach the park. With only a small expenditure, the park may be one of the finest and most picturesque in the Northwest.”

The current Skagit County Historical Museum exhibit, "A Little Off the Top," showcases the history of barber shops in Skagit County, highlighting their important role in the area. It takes visitors through the evolution of barber shops from the Valley’s pioneer era to the present day, emphasizing their impact on the community. The exhibit features a fascinating collection of artifacts from old to modern-day barber shops, which is impressive given the fact that according to the museum’s executive director, Jo Wolfe, “this is the first time such an exhibit has been created.” The exhibit ends on March 10th, so visit La Conner Hill soon and explore the rich history of barber shops in Skagit County!