La Conner is all about history – all the time, it often seems – perhaps because the trend here is for it to constantly repeat itself.

A case in point is the controversial promotional sign, or “marketing icon” in modern parlance, proposed for Gilkey Square and which has already undergone a major facelift to quell a groundswell of protests.

The current flap is reminiscent of one that occurred 33 years ago.

That’s when in response to tulip traffic congestion a directional sign to town at the base of Pleasant Ridge was doctored to read “Don’t Visit Historic La Conner.”

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