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HONORED GUEST – Sen. Henry Jackson (center), later a presidential hopeful, attended the 1970 ribbon cutting ceremony at the Port of Skagit’s La Conner Marina. Jackson made numerous appearances in La Conner over the course of his career. The town was in Jackson’s congressional district when he served in the House of Representatives prior to being elected to the senate. – Photo courtesy of Port of Skagit
Fifty-years-ago the La Conner commercial scene boasted canneries, full-service fuel stations and a major fish-food processing plant.
All are gone now.
But 1970 also saw the ribbon cut for launch of a new and key cog in the local economy – one that not only remains but has grown significantly over the past half-century.
The first phase of the Port of Skagit’s La Conner Marina was dedicated in late May that year with a ceremony keynoted by U.S. Sen. Henry Jackson, of Everett, who twice sought the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination.
Two years earlier, in 1968, the Port had purchased 50 acres for the future La Conner Marina and to support maritime industry here.
The plan was to create a harbor to serve commercial and recreational boat traffic, according to Port of Skagit Community Outreach Administrator Linda Tyler.
The marina, Tyler explained, was built to be a jobs producer, aligned with the Port’s stated mission of ‘Good jobs for our community.’
“It was also a recreational outlet,” said Tyler, “that brought tourism to town while supporting the local maritime industry’s infrastructure needs.
“It’s still the same focus in many ways,” Tyler added, “with both types of uses – commercial and recreational – coexisting and supporting one another.”
In 1978, eight years after the La Conner Marina south basin was built, a north basin was added.
Together, Tyler said, they provide about 500 moorage slips, two 1,200-foot linear guest docks, a variety of boating services, a storage unit facility, an RV park, dry boat storage and 17 marine and mixed-use businesses and services.
Dunlap Towing, founded here in 1925, has been a fixture at La Conner Marina almost since its inception, providing well-paying jobs and multiple maritime services.
Joining the historic La Conner log-hauling and cargo transport firm are Mavrik Marine, La Conner Maritime and Tomco, among other companies large and small that comprise the marina’s unique makeup.
“The combination of large manufacturing companies with dozens of employees and small companies with a handful of employees working side-by-side and supporting one another is part of what makes the La Conner Marina and our community so special,” said Tyler.
Skagit Port Commissioner Steve Omdal noted the role La Conner Marina plays in balancing economic development with promoting the quality of life enjoyed in and around the local area.
“Marinas offer a myriad of maritime support services, tourism and outdoor activities,” Omdal told the Weekly News. “This multi-faceted spectrum brings economic value and recreational benefits to our community.”
Tyler said the La Conner Marina and Town of La Conner have forged and maintained a solid partnership over the years. The Town’s public works department, in fact, is a marina tenant.
“We continue to work together to strengthen our community,” she said, “through industry and business as well as recreation and tourism.”
La Conner Mayor Ramon Hayes echoed those sentiments.
“The way I always think of it is in terms of a three-legged stool – the Town, the Chamber of Commerce and the Port,” Hayes said. “We all support one another. It’s a strong relationship.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Port of Skagit had to forego a 50th anniversary celebration at the marina on May 31.
Port staff weighed alternatives during a video-conferenced Zoom meeting last month, Tyler said.
“We discussed some options for rescheduling our celebration,” she said, “but still feel it’s too early to make any definitive plans. The safety of our tenants, community and staff are our number one priority so that will guide our future planning and decision-making.”
While the celebration is on hold, vessels of all shapes and sizes continue to navigate Swinomish Channel, often making use of services at La Conner Marina.
“The value of recreational boating to our regional economy is great,” Tyler stressed, “and the La Conner Marina is part of that ecosystem that brings in significant direct and indirect revenue.
“Thousands of boaters, both commercial and recreational, travel through Swinomish Channel annually,” she said, “supporting tourism and maritime industry throughout the region.
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