Calendar

Anacortes' First Councilwoman Enters Office (1958)

The first woman to serve on the Anacortes City Council was sworn in Jan. 21, 1958. Nina Antonius (1898-1962) was active in civic affairs in the 1950s, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a participant in the University of Washington Community Development Study and a proponent of beautification. She and her husband Ivar owned and operated Antonius Garden and Flowers shop at Commercial and 4th Street. Eugene “Bud” Strom said the four council members certified that night, including himself and the “capable” councilwoman, supported initiatives such as street paving, and all were swept out of office at the next election by a slate of anti-paving candidates.