This Week In Boundary County History

100 Years Ago

Bonners Ferry Business Merchants were very happy with this Christmas season. This year the people bought better grades of goods than ever before and the merchants attribute that to better wages and an increase in population.

Fifteen freight cars went in the ditch on the Spokane International Railroad between Sinclair and Talbot. The wreck was caused by spreading rails. It is also reported that 3 cars of flour were ditched on the Great Northern Railway near Troy, Montana and rolled into the Kootenai River.

On account of the fact that sales of stamps and stamp paper exceeded $8,000, the post office at B.F. will now be considered a second class post office. This status is a boost for B.F. and gives the town a standing for people looking for new homes.

50 Years Ago

A highway official states that a new bypass route is now being planned for Bonners Ferry.

Mrs. Earl Thomas wins $335 on a T.V. quiz program, “Dialing for Dollars.”

The following businesses wish you Happy Holidays: Al Rogers Auto Sales, Bank of Idaho, Taft’s, Cone’s, Gary’s Richfield, and many others!

Kootenai children were treated to a Christmas party at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. There were about 30 children and adults attending. Assisting at the event were Don Howe, Ben Studer, and Dick “Santa” Hollenbeck.

15 Years Ago

The City Council voted last week to authorize the expenditure of $12,000 to determine who owns the property on which the new visitor’s center will sit. This is the first step towards planning the new International Visitor’s Center.

This year’s Christmas caroling was so successful that organizers say they’ll be happy to do it next year- and they hope it grows.

The Bonners Ferry Police Department continued its traditions this year of solving an unusually high percentage of reported crimes. The rate through September was 67%. In other cities the rates average 30-40%.

— Submitted by the Boundary County Museum