We have a certain style to the way we do things around here, and moving houses is no exception. Take a look at this great photo...the details are what amaze me! Notice that this house is being moved up Spring Street, by tractors, on logs. Wow-what a way to move a house through town!
There's no labeling on the picture, but it must be from 1963, given the license plate on the car. Notice the businesses in the image, too; Herb's Tavern on the left, and on the right there's The Journal, Scribner's Market, and the Lumber & Building Supplies storefront.
The kids in the front seem to be enjoying the whole scene, and you can see islanders on the street watching the move. One more thing; notice the guy on the top of the house...what a ride!
A little update; I had some help figuring out where this building ended
up after the move, from Dave Meiland and Sandy Strehlou (Friday Harbor's
Historic Preservation Coordinator). This is now the Boy Scout building located at the San Juan County Fairgrounds! Sandy said it was originally affiliated with the Fish Cannery on Front Street. Here's what it looks like today...
One last tidbit on this great old house; it was the home of Elias Harpst, who was Friday Harbor's undertaker and watchmaker. He worked in the building right next door to the house, when it was in its original location. You can see an image of it, taken between 1907 and 1910, in Images of America-Friday Harbor by Mike and Julia Vouri and the San Juan Historical Society and Museum.