05/03/2024
The Chetco Valley Historical Society have selected Larry and Marie Hannan as the 2024 Pioneer Citizens to be honored over the 85th Azalea Festival!
Larry moved to Brookings with his parents George and Ethel Hannan in 1951, arriving in their Model A from Myrtle Creek, OR. His father George had purchased a share of Brookings Plywood Mill. The family lived in a two-room tent for one year in Harbor, while George built their family home on which later became Hannan Lane. Larry and Marie still live on Hannan Lane in a home they built on the same location of the two-room tent, on the property his parents purchased 73 years ago.
Both Larry and Marie have deep roots in the area. Larry graduated from Brookings-Harbor High School in 1957, later joining the US ARMY, serving time in Korea and active duty until 1963, then remained in the US ARMY Reserves until 1966.
Marie was raised in Smith River, graduating from Del Norte High School in 1961. Marie’s father, Frank Bettencourt, was a native of Smith River, born in 1909.
Larry was introduced to his future wife Marie at the Brookings Elks Lodge. The story goes: Larry had a date one evening with a gal from Gold Beach, where they went to the Elks Lodge. Marie happened to be at the Lodge that same evening with her cousin who was a cocktail waitress. After Larry took his date back to Gold Beach, he returned to the Lodge about 12:30 am, and Marie was still there. The two courted for three months, and Larry and Marie were married at the Brookings Lodge in July of 1967.
Larry is a long-time BPOE Brookings Elks Lodge member, holding officer positions from 1963 to 1985 and was the Exalted Ruler from 1973-74.
In the 60’s, the Hannan’s saw the need in the Community for an Appliance Store. They began their 27-year run owning and operating Larry’s TV and Appliance. The first store opened in the Northgate Mall, then moved to space in the Kerr’s Ace Hardware Building. Larry’s TV and Appliance pioneered a new era with the sale of RCA Color TVs in the 60’s. In the 80’s they built a stand-alone store on Railroad Avenue, serving the Brookings-Harbor community until the 90’s. The building today, houses South Coast Appliance. In 1986, Larry and Marie opened Video and More, a franchise that began in the South Coast Shopping Center, now the home of Fat Cat Pizza. Not too long afterward, they would relocate to a bigger space, next to Chetco Pharmacy (Rexall Drug) in Brookings. The space that was once B & E Shoes and Clothing, became Video and More (later Spotlight Video) a business that grew to 7 stores which served much of the coast from Eureka, California to North Bend, Oregon.
Larry and Marie share four children: Connie, W***y, Vanita and Tony. Connie lives in Crescent City, CA, W***y and Vanita in Brookings, OR, and Tony in Eureka, CA.
In retirement, the Hannan’s have enjoyed traveling, golfing, fishing, riding ATV’s, and RV traveling with friends. They love Brookings-Harbor area and enjoy having their children close by.
The public is invited to a reception where Larry and Marie Hannan will be honored at 4:00 pm on Saturday May 25th of the Azalea Festival at the Chetco Valley Museum annex. Their Pioneer Citizen display will be open for viewing, along with many more stories from the Hannans, along with past pioneers. Refreshments will be served.
Please join the Chetco Valley Historical Society in honoring the Hannans for their longtime commitment to our community.
