From the Archives - Aug. 18, 2022

Odes and Sadie (Jantz) Unruh, with three of their children: Lawrence, Opal, and Chester, moved to Boundary County, Idaho, in 1936. Traveling with her brother and two of her sisters, they arrived in a Ford pickup. They rented a cabin near the fairgrounds for $10 a month from A.J. Kent.

The Unruhs were offered a 12x16 tar-paper shack to live in on a 40-acre stump ranch four miles north of Bonners Ferry owned by Mrs. Mary Curtis. They nailed flattened cardboard boxes on the inside for insulation. Mrs. Curtis received an offer of cash for the property. Since Odes and his family were living on the property, she gave him the first chance to buy. Odes had $25. She took it as a down payment, and so began their life in Boundary County.

Do you want to hear more about the Unruhs? Join us at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 for the historical walking tour of the Mountain View Mennonite Cemetery.

This photograph was taken by Dorothea Lange in 1939.

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., and you can visit the website at www.boundarycountymuseum.org or the museum’s Facebook page for historical photos and stories, and to see upcoming events. The museum can be reached via email at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or by telephone at 208-267-7720. Thank you for your continued support.