March's Point, a prairie area, was the site of the first Fidalgo Island continuous white settlement. A series of people came there beginning in 1853, best know were William Munks, Enock Compton, Charles W. and Robert K. Beale; H.A. March They would farm for a while, move on, and others would take their places.
Since then, March's Point has been continuously inhabited, and descendants of a couple pioneers still live there in the shadow of two oil refineries.
Munks brought the first cattle, seventeen head, to the island, aboard a sloop from Whatcom. In 1863 he also brought the first wagon and planted fruit trees and a grape vine. In 1870, Mr. Munks, was appointed postmaster. Prior to this time the nearest post office was at Whatcom. He built a wharf and store in 1873.
The first Fidalgo School was built on March's Point in 1868. It was a one room log cabin 20'x30' in size. The second school was built in 1890 where the southern refinery is now located.
On August 2, 1928 an airfield was inaugurated with a 2000 foot airstrip. The ANACORTES AMERICAN reported 10,000 spectators attended the event and witnessed planes fly in from the Puget Sound region. The airport was the result of Anacortes Civic Club's year-long efforts to establish an airport on March's Point.
In 1954 the Shell Oil Company built the first Oil Refinery with Texaco adding the second later.
Background is William Munks' Store and Dock on the Point, that and other old photo's are in the Gallery.
Information was provided by the Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner, Anacortes Museum and the Skagit River Journal. (http://skagitriverjournal.com)
Congratulations Team Moink on the FTF.