From the Archives - July 2, 2020
Photo courtesy BOUNDARY COUNTY MUSEUM On July 19, 1941, the Bonners Ferry Lions Club became a charter member of Lions International. The club announced last year it was closing.
On July 19, 1941, the Bonners Ferry Lions Club became a charter member of Lions International. Its charter night program, with dinner, was held at the fairgrounds in Memorial Hall. Dinner included dishes with “Congo” themes: Lion Salad, Tropical Salad, Jungle Meats, Tiger Tidbits, and Voodoo Brew. A dance was held in Fry Memorial Hall (high school on Oak Street) with the KHQ Orchestra as entertainment. As President of the newly formed organization, Dr. Fred W. Durose presided over the affair.
In 1944, the Bonners Ferry Lions Club leased 70 acres of land from the state on Deep Creek for $35 a year, where they created a park and a meeting place. The club purchased O’Callaghan’s Island (site of Kootenai River Inn) to build a club house in 1946.
In 1959, Marion Davidson donated 20 acres on Snow Creek to the club. A pond was created and stocked with fish. C.D. Simonds, the city druggist, donated a building to be used as a bath house. The Island was sold in 1960, the proceeds going to buy materials to build a clubhouse, toilets, and picnic area.
Over the years, the Bonners Ferry Lions Club sponsored many local events including a fishing derby, Easter egg hunt, and demolition derby, to name a few. The club supported the Lions International Eyesight Program purchasing glasses for children in the area. In 1952, the Lions purchased 192 royal blue street signs for the city.
Last year, with only a handful of Lions members remaining, the club was saddened to close its doors. Bonners Ferry Rotary has taken on the privilege of delivering items from the Lions Club to the museum to preserve the history of the organization.
As one member of the Lions wrote: “We extend a thank you to all who have supported us in our projects, either as competitors or as workers.”
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The museum is still closed. Hopefully the doors will open soon. Thank you for your continued support!
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Your Boundary County Historical Society and Museum, 7229 Main, Bonners Ferry, Idaho sponsors this column.
Visit the website at www.boundarycounty museum.org or the Museum’s Facebook page for historical photos and stories, and to see upcoming events. Or we can be reached at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or telephone 208-267-7720.