From the archives - July 29, 2021
Photo courtesy of the Boundary County Museum
The Moyie Springs dance hall was built by Charles and Agnes Spinharney in 1928. The hardwood floor showed signs of many feet dancing on Saturday nights. The Spinharneys sold the dance hall to Benny Teer in 1936.
By the late 1940s, the Moyie Club was owned and operated by Emmett and Ruby Walters. They saw it through the early 1950s.
The records in the museum do not show who owned it after the Walters, other than Dick and Gladys Blake purchasing it in 1974. Harry and Pam Hartman bought it in 1977.
The Moyie Club closed and in 2016 was dismantled.
As with most businesses, the Moyie Club had advertising pieces such as matchbooks and ashtrays. The museum was recently given two ashtrays.
One reads: "John & Ethel's Moyie Club & Cafe." The question is: Who are John & Ethel?
This photograph is of the other ashtray. So now the question is: Who "Stole this ashtray?"
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!