2018-01-03 Abandoned in Anacortes (02) (2048x1360)
Captain William Gray House. Built in 1885, destroyed by fire December 22, 2020.
Crews were called to the home in the 3900 block of H Avenue about 10:15 p.m. When crews arrived, they found the three-story home engulfed in flames.
Knowing that the building was going to be a total loss and that the fire made it unsafe to enter, crews took a defensive stance against the fire, spraying water from the ground and from above using the department's ladder truck.
Built by Captain William Gray, one of Fidalgo's earliest settlers. Gray (1843-1891), a native of Scotland, came to the U. S. in 1869 with his partner Peter Bell. After ranching in California for several years, Gray came to Fidalgo in March 1871. He established a home and farm (160 acres), sent to California for Bell to join him, and, in 1881 sent to Scotland for Peter's sister Maggie whom Gray had betrothed c. 1861. They married in Victoria on 1-10-1882. The NORTHWEST ENTERPRISE continually mentioned Gray and the bounty of his garden. 8-9-1884, "The ENTERPRISE office is indebted to William Gray for some fine specimens of carrots and beets grown in his garden." Gray died suddenly in September 1891. His obituary in the 9-10-1891 ANACORTES AMERICAN stated he had built this house for his wife shortly before he died, "That he was solicitous of his wife's happiness and thoughtful of her comfort is shown in the fact that about a year before his death, he set aside a large tract of land which he deeded to her and erected thereon one of the finest dwellings now existing on the entire island." In the mid-1890s this house and property were purchased by J. H. Havekost, nephew of Tonjes H. Havekost of Burrows Bay. On 4-6-1899 the ANACORTES AMERICAN reported, "L. K. Smith has purchased the J. H. Havekost home out toward Heart Lake and will soon move out there. The city clerk's new acquisition is capable of being converted not only into a pleasant home but a source of profit as well. The house is large and handsome and there is quite an orchard on the place.
anacortes.pastperfectonline.com/photo/7CE28460-A223-41F6-...
2018-01-03 Abandoned in Anacortes (02) (2048x1360)
Captain William Gray House. Built in 1885, destroyed by fire December 22, 2020.
Crews were called to the home in the 3900 block of H Avenue about 10:15 p.m. When crews arrived, they found the three-story home engulfed in flames.
Knowing that the building was going to be a total loss and that the fire made it unsafe to enter, crews took a defensive stance against the fire, spraying water from the ground and from above using the department's ladder truck.
Built by Captain William Gray, one of Fidalgo's earliest settlers. Gray (1843-1891), a native of Scotland, came to the U. S. in 1869 with his partner Peter Bell. After ranching in California for several years, Gray came to Fidalgo in March 1871. He established a home and farm (160 acres), sent to California for Bell to join him, and, in 1881 sent to Scotland for Peter's sister Maggie whom Gray had betrothed c. 1861. They married in Victoria on 1-10-1882. The NORTHWEST ENTERPRISE continually mentioned Gray and the bounty of his garden. 8-9-1884, "The ENTERPRISE office is indebted to William Gray for some fine specimens of carrots and beets grown in his garden." Gray died suddenly in September 1891. His obituary in the 9-10-1891 ANACORTES AMERICAN stated he had built this house for his wife shortly before he died, "That he was solicitous of his wife's happiness and thoughtful of her comfort is shown in the fact that about a year before his death, he set aside a large tract of land which he deeded to her and erected thereon one of the finest dwellings now existing on the entire island." In the mid-1890s this house and property were purchased by J. H. Havekost, nephew of Tonjes H. Havekost of Burrows Bay. On 4-6-1899 the ANACORTES AMERICAN reported, "L. K. Smith has purchased the J. H. Havekost home out toward Heart Lake and will soon move out there. The city clerk's new acquisition is capable of being converted not only into a pleasant home but a source of profit as well. The house is large and handsome and there is quite an orchard on the place.
anacortes.pastperfectonline.com/photo/7CE28460-A223-41F6-...