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Monday, March 13, 2023

Anacortes officially received its name on this date in 1879, when the community’s first post office was established in Amos Bowman’s store. Bowman, the first postmaster, famously derived the city’s Spanish-sounding name from the name of his wife, Anna (or Annie) Curtis Bowman. Anacortes replaced the community’s orginal name, Ship Harbor. In 1979, at a centennial celebration in Anacortes, a proclamation was read on behalf of the White House by Congressman Al Swift: “Congratulations on the hundredth anniversary of your community. In celebrating this important milestone in your history, you can take pride in the values and ideals that have made your community and your nation grow and prosper. May the vitality and spirt of your people continue to help build a better American and a better world.” It was signed by Jimmy Carter, President of the United States.