Glass Tech building about 2003

Image donated by a member of the Pearson Family who lived across the street. 2010.40.09

The window company Glass Tech has been at corner of 271st and 102nd NW (west side of Stanwood) since about 1997.  This building and location once served travelers along the Old Pacific Highway (before I-5) .
Before 1924 or so the Old Pacific Highway once wound through the Stillaguamish River Valley towards East Stanwood across the railroad tracks. From the East Stanwood the road went west as it does now toward the waterfront that was the original Stanwood town.  At the corner of 102nd and 271st NW it is said there was a Red Lion Gilmore Gas station that also provided automotive services.  We have little information on this era of the building though the 1918 Sanborn plat map shows the buiiding footprint at this location much as it is today with its storage building in the back.

Manser Wangsness took it over in about 1933 on the rented land from Helen McDougall O’Melia. It was at that time known as the Signal Gas Station.  Manser Wangsness was proprietor until about 1960 and it was locally referred to as Wangsness station or the Stanwood Station.

According to this little ad from the Twin City News in 1948 there was also a auto repair service at this location known as Lee’s Auto Repair operated by Levi Sherk.

1964 or 1965 view of the Flying A gas station era. Image donated by then owner’s daughter. 2015_04

Image of Flying A gas station in 1964 or 65. 2010_40_09

In 1964 it became known as the Signal Gas station and auto repair service and operated by Dick Aldrich.  From the photographs it appears he added the garage on the north side of the building.  In 1972 Howard Moffet opened How D Glass in this building. An article in the Stanwood News Dec 27 1972 says that by then the hand pumps had disappeared. Moffet began in the glass business in Lynnwood before moving to Stanwood in 1971.  (How D Glass moved to another location nearby some time before 1981.)

In about 1981 it was a Steve’s VW Service. Another early business in the building was Bingo Auto Polish and in 1997 Glass Tech operated by Susan and Aaron James took it over though the property is leased by an owner who purchased in 2002.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you know more about this building.

Glass Tech – Gas Station turned window company, 2018.

Current Glass Tech building.