From the Archives- Dec. 15

The town of McArthur burned to the ground in 1922. With no post office, mail was discontinued and sent to Naples. After the fire, a new modern brick school was built on the hill. Wm. McArthur stated when the land for the new school was given, that if it were no longer being used as a school, the property would revert back to the original homestead.

McArthur sold the homestead to Mr. Swisher and Swisher sold to Mr. Brain. The property was purchased by Milfred and Mabelle Nelson in 1945. The school closed in 1950; at that point the property reverted back to the original homestead then owned by the Nelsons. Milfred planted alfalfa in the field around the school. The brick school burned in August 1959.” — "Small Towns, Big Dreams"

You can read more about McArthur and 26 other communities in the book "Small Towns, Big Dreams" which can be purchased at your museum for $25 each. Also in the gift shop are the 2023 historical calendar and $5 potholders with historic photos, or the shape of Idaho with a Boundary County marker. These would be great Christmas gifts.

Your Boundary County Historical Society and Museum, 7229 Main, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, sponsors this column.

Visit the museum Thursday through Saturday from 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. Or we can be reached at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or telephone 208-267-7720. Thank you for your continued support.