To the editor:

Members of the Langley Historic Preservation Commission want to add their voices to others who hope the Dog House can be preserved in a way that respects that building’s past history and use. It’s a down-and-dirty chronicle. The Dog — originally the Olympic Club — was erected by locals in 1908 at the urging of a con artist who persuaded them that boxing matches would be a boon to the community. Since boxing was illegal in Seattle, he hit upon Langley as a convenient day’s outing, booked two names to fight and boats to bring fans to the island. Then he absconded with all the money, leaving boxers, fans and local civic promoters high and dry. It was a raucous, colorful inaugural.

As Roy Jacobson mentioned in the last issue, the building saw many uses before becoming a restaurant/tavern at the end of Prohibition. School children of another age attended dances on the top floor. Movies were shown there before we had The Clyde. The Dog is integrated into this community’s collective memory and is an icon — a pivot point at Langley’s commercial core. Losing it would mean losing an important part of who we are. The heart of our town, on ice for months, would be stilled.

Most people are not aware that its listing on the National Register of Historic Places is simply an honorary designation. That listing would not prevent the building from being demolished tomorrow. If the Dog House were listed on the Langley Register of Historic Places, civic oversight would mandate commission approval for changes to the building. That, however, will not occur prior to the auction date of April 23.

The Historic Preservation Commission wishes it could wave a wand and save the building for posterity. Unhappily, that will require deeper pockets and a longer-term commitment than the city can muster. We stand ready, however, to work with any individual or group who wishes to save it. Substantial tax credits for rehabilitation are available through state and county programs. Please call on us at 221-4246, ext. 12.

We’d also like to ask South Whidbey residents to consider other properties in Langley that will be vulnerable. If we can act before crises loom, we’ll be making smarter decisions about how our town will look and feel in the next generation.

Bob Waterman, Chairman

Linda Beeman, Vice Chairwoman

Fran Abel

Cathy Blackburn

Marty Fernandez

Jerry Finrow

Langley History Preservation Commission