ALL Timeline

The Bruns-Madan Legacy Story

Posted on May 26, 2015 posted in ALL Timeline, Member Stories, Stories

The Bruns-Madan Legacy Story

Carolyn Harrison Sisley – Founding Member Family

Posted on July 23, 2012 posted in ...1935 - 1950, Member Stories

Early OPALCO – From a Child’s Memory I was three years old when we moved to Orcas. My Dad, John E. Harrison, was born and raised in Eastsound, … Read More

Katie Jensen – Member Family Since 1953

Posted on May 3, 2012 posted in Member Stories, Stories

Katie Jensen wrote (April 2012): “The Jensen connection to OPALCO began in November, 1953, when we rented a house on North Beach Road with Tina (age 6), Judy … Read More

Mildred Sandwith, Member Family Since 1943

Posted on April 16, 2012 posted in Member Stories, Stories

Mildred was born and raised in Friday Harbor, where her grandfather was a doctor and owned the local pharmacy. As the youngest of four, Mildred did not have … Read More

Jane Barfoot Hodde, Member Family Since 1937

Posted on April 16, 2012 posted in Member Stories, Stories

Jane is a long-standing member of OPALCO herself, having joined the Co-op with her late husband Jack in 1947. She is also a member of the Willis family, … Read More

“To Date” Poem by Zoa H.Cowden, 1940

Posted on April 13, 2012 posted in Member Stories, Stories

From the collection of Buyral and Ellen Madan TO DATE When it’s candle lighting time in Crow Valley Everything is up in whirl. But most of the time … Read More

Coffelt Family – First Recorded Membership

Posted on April 6, 2012 posted in Member Stories, Stories

  Vern Coffelt comes from a long line of OPALCO founders and supporters. His grandfather, John Gus “JG” Smedberg, a pioneer Orcas farmer known for his prize-winning apples … Read More

2004 Cable Install Photo Story

Posted on September 16, 2004 posted in ...1951 - 1975, Stories

A .pdf album of the 2004 Orcas Landing Fiber Cable Install in cooperation with Caldwell Marine.

OPALCO Beacon Newsletter October, 1956

Posted on October 1, 1956 posted in ...1951 - 1975, Stories

OPALCO has communicated with members in a variety of ways over the years.  Early on, OPALCO had a regular spot in the local papers.  Later, the monthly OPALCO … Read More

1955 Submarine Cable Break Story

Posted on April 13, 1955 posted in Stories

“SUBMARINE CABLES AT THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS” (Internal OPALCO memo) “…At approximately 7:00 P.M., on April 13, 1955, the submarine cable between the San Juan Island and Lopez … Read More