Historic building falls

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After an unsuccessful effort to save it, demolition has started on one of the last original wood structures in Anacortes at 1814 Commercial Ave.

The most recent business to occupy the building, CompuMatter, moved to another building a block south at the beginning of this month. A nearby building in the same block formerly housed Dave’s Anaco Appliance for many years.

City Museum Director Steve Oakley made a let-ditch effort in March to save the 1814 Commercial Ave. building and move it to another location, but he could neither find a new spot to put it nor the money, as much as $25,000, to move it.

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In an earlier era...photo courtesy Anacortes Museum.

Oakley said he hasn’t been able to determine the date the building was constructed, but believes it was prior to 1910, which would put it at over 100 years old.