By Bill Reynolds
La Conner Community News
The Skagit County Pioneer Association, which meets in La Conner each year on the first Thursday in August, revisited its deep Sedro-Woolley roots during the 122nd Pioneer Picnic and Business Meeting at Pioneer Park.
The Stiles family and Oliver-Hammer Clothes Shop, both of Sedro-Woolley, were special honorees at the Aug. 6 event, a fundraiser for the Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner and presided over by outgoing Pioneer Association President JoEllen Kesti, the current Mayor of Sedro-Woolley.
The pioneer group was founded in 1891, but with restrictive requirements it soon disbanded. In 1904, however, it was revived under less stringent guidelines at the behest of Sedro-Woolley area civic leaders.
It was decided at that time, notes former Pioneer Association Historian/Memorialist Dan Royal, that the association would henceforth meet annually in La Conner, the original county seat, at the wooded public park donated by Louisa Ann Conner, for whom the town is named.
“We wanted to bring the spotlight back to Sedro-Woolley, where this organization began,” Kesti explained to 2026 Pioneer Picnic attendees who remained for the business meeting segment of the gathering. “I can’t think of two better examples for doing that than Oliver-Hammer and the Stiles family.”
The Stiles’ were named the Skagit County Pioneer Family of the Year while Oliver-Hammer was the recipient of the Pioneer Spirit Award.
Kesti noted that the Stiles name has been synonymous with public service, entrepreneurship, industry leadership, and contributions to the education, health care, and legal practice fields since the 1918 arrival in Sedro-Woolley from North Carolina of Etta Robinson Stiles, her husband, William Avery Stiles Sr., and the three oldest of the couple’s six children.
William Avery “Bill” Stiles Jr., born in Sedro-Woolley in 1924, would ultimately found the family law firm, which this year marked its 75th anniversary.
“We thank you for this great recognition,” said Brian Stiles, a son of Bill Stiles, who along with his brother, Brock, followed their dad into the legal arena. “We’re very humbled by this. I just wish my folks were here to see this.”
Bill Stiles carved out a remarkable career in Sedro-Woolley after serving in both the Navy and Army Air Corps during World War II. He had an opportunity following law school and passing the bar to join a large firm in Seattle.
He chose his hometown instead, thanks to a friendly nudge from his wife, Betty.
“Mother wouldn’t let him raise a family in Seattle.”
Stiles shared admiration for his late sister, Becky, a nurse and teacher who passed away from cancer five years ago.
“She was the most selfless person I ever knew,” he said. “I hope we could all think of her today.
“We’re proud of our heritage and happy to be in the Skagit Valley,” Stiles continued. “I can’t think of a better place to raise kids.”
Stiles also alluded to his family’s connection to Oliver-Hammer through a relative, Robert “Pinky” Robinson, a mainstay along with Greer Drummond for decades at the iconic store.
“Oliver-Hammer is much like Stowe’s of Burlington. They’re a vital part of the fabric of their communities,” Stiles said.
Oliver-Hammer opened in 1921 in downtown Sedro-Woolley and over the course of 105 years has operated in three different locations, all on Metcalf Street. Italian tailor Joe Oliver and George Hammer of Sedro-Woolley formed the initial Oliver-Hammer partnership. Oliver created from scratch the suits that upriver woodsmen ordered through Hammer for weddings, church services, and formal occasions.
Oliver eventually sold his share of the business to Hammer, who, in turn, brought Robinson and Drummond into the fold. Robinson and Drummond, both of whom were World War II veterans, became partners in Oliver-Hammer in the late 1950s.
David Drummond, Greer Drummond’s son and a current Oliver-Hammer co-owner, referred to the landmark clothing store as having been a “a haberdashery of the day” during its early stages. He said that a Singer sewing machine that Oliver used in the 1920s was finally retired after 97 years and remains on display at the store.
Over time, said Drummond, the store shifted its emphasis from business suits to outdoor wear, durable work apparel, and professional-fitting footwear.
Kesti lauded Oliver-Hammer as “a cornerstone of downtown Sedro-Woolley” whose success has been the result of “a store philosophy that treats its customers like family.”
Oliver-Hammer and the Stiles family weren’t alone in receiving awards following the day’s salmon luncheon prepared by the “Good Girls” of La Conner and served by members of the La Conner Civic Garden Club.
Duane Stowe, 96, of Burlington was saluted as the oldest man in attendance. His wife, Arleen, 95, was honored as the oldest woman at the Pioneer Picnic.
Kesti received the Pioneer Association’s President Award and was presented a plaque and framed 2026 Pioneer Picnic poster for her leadership during the past year.
“Her legacy will remain an important part of the Skagit County Pioneer Association for years to come,” said Don McMoran, the group’s incoming president and Skagit County Extension Director.
“It’s been an honor and a very special time to represent Sedro-Woolley and Skagit County in this association,” Kesti said.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
