From the Archives- Dec. 22, 2022
Sometime between 1926 and 1928, C. H. Oatman, of Bonners Ferry, sold his own brand of coffee: “Class-A- Coffee” and was the sole distributor of that coffee.
(Courtesy Photo)
In 1921, F.L. Glad sold half interest in his grocery store to Mr. Landess. They named the new business the “Class A Market.” Landess sold his half back to Glad, who then sold the half interest to C. H. Oatman.
Oatman purchased the James building (present site of Youngwirth Accounting) in 1923 for the Class A Market to operate out of. Oatman became sole proprietor of the store in 1926. That same year, his building was damaged by fire when J. Walden’s store burned (site of Bonners Books). Oatman then sold the James building and stock from the store to the Causton Brothers in 1928.
Sometime between 1926 and 1928, C. H. Oatman sold his own brand of coffee: “Class-A- Coffee” and was the sole distributor of that coffee.
While decorating the Museum for Christmas, it was decided that an old-fashioned “manly Christmas” in the White Caribou Bar would be very simple. No need to put up a large tree, a few cut bows from the downed “fire wood” tree stuffed into an old coffee tin would suffice. Little did we know that the coffee tin picked for the occasion was from the Class A Market — C.H. Oatman, Proprietor — and was produced for a short period of about two years!
Every artifact in your museum has a story behind it. With a little research, that story can be found.
May you all have a safe and peaceful Merry Christmas.
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. Or we can be reached at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or telephone 208-267-7720. Thank you for your continued support.