From the archives - July 22, 2021
Photo courtesy of Boundary County Museum
Welcome Home Classmates!
Boundary County students attended both town and country schools, graduating from the eighth grade before moving on to jobs on the family farm, local jobs in many different businesses in the county or attending "normal schools" for teaching or nursing training.
The high school grades began in the county in 1903, with only a few students, because of the need to pay for this education. Young people from rural parts of the county would find a "host" family in Bonners Ferry to live with during the week, and go home on the weekends. They labored for the host family by doing chores for room and board.
The first class to graduate from the Bonners Ferry High School was the Class of 1904, which consisted of Rose Perkins, Ed Martin, Margaret Moore, and Ella Donlap. By 1924, 155 students had graduated under the mascot of the Bonners Ferry Woodchuck. The high school adopted a new mascot, the Badger, in 1925.
Since 1925, thousands of Bonners Ferry Badgers have graced the halls of three different high school buildings. On this weekend of the All Class Reunion, we say "welcome home" to one and all.
This photo is of the Class of 1918, which attended high school in the brick building on Cemetery Hill. (We knew this as the Southside Grade School.) Class of 1918 - Back Row, from left: Deane Norton, Hugo Risor, Edith Welch, Everett Luce, Berdine Gines (Lowery), and Harold McNally. Front Row, from left: Marie Irving (Knoles), Marguerite Loughney, Thomas Gleed, Constance Fry, William Peterson, Amy Fry (Perry), and Veona Johnson.
Have a safe and happy All Class Reunion!
Your Boundary County Historical Society and Museum, 7229 Main, Bonners Ferry, Idaho sponsors this column.
Visit the museum Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visit the website at www.boundarycountymuseum.org or the museum’s Facebook page for historical photos and stories, and to see upcoming events. We can be reached at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or 208-267-7720. Thank you for your continued support!