From the Archives for May 5, 2022
Julius Runkles remodeled and furnished a portion of the Riverside Hotel for the saloon.
(Courtesy photo BOUNDARY COUNTY MUSEUM))
"Due to land title complications in Eatonville, several of the business men relocated their buildings to the new town of Bonners Ferry … Sam Smith moved his hotel changing the name to the Riverside Hotel. He sold it to Julius Runkles who operated a "Shack de'Loose" for his girls and opened the Miner's Rest Saloon inside the hotel." — Small Towns, Big Dreams
Julius Runkles remodeled and furnished a portion of the Riverside Hotel for the saloon to accommodate locals and the mining clientele. He placed an advertisement in the March 18, 1892 Kootenai Herald. Business was booming.
Runkles was concerned about the new town being built of wood, so he installed a force pump with a long hose attached near his enterprise. In case of fire, he could throw water from the Kootenai River onto any part of his building. He encouraged others to do the same.
The Boundary County Historical Society and Museum, 7229 Main, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, sponsors this column.
The museum will be closed Saturday, May 7, 2022, for Richard Hollenbeck's memorial service.
Visit the museum Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or go online to the museum’s 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 at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or telephone 208-267-7720. Thank you for your continued support.