From the Archives - Feb. 16, 2023

Sometimes, surprises come through the mail. When checking the post office box on Tuesday, a package from a "Friend of the Museum" arrived. One of the artifacts in the envelope was this fantastic photograph.

It is a photo, taken between 1917-1920, of "a Cletrac crawler tractor manufactured by The Cleveland Tractor Co. and a Model T Ford roadster convertible with tire chains parked in front of the Crescent Garage — the Ford dealership."

We are always excited to see photos of the Megquier-Houck building, as it is the building that houses the museum.

Constructed in 1917 by Charles W. Megquier, the brick building was home to the Crescent Garage. The Megquier family lived in the second story which had seven rooms and a large porch in the rear. In 1920, Megquier purchased the adjoining lot and built a one-story 120 feet long brick addition to his garage.

During the years 1920-1945, several businesses occupied the two connected buildings — Crescent Garage, Traver's Garage, Bonners Battery and Ignition, Blackburn's Electric, and H. Earl Clack, Company. In 1945, Winston Cook and Ray Houck formed a business partnership under the name Cook's Battery & Electric. By 1973, SS&H, Inc. took over operations in the building. The Boundary County Museum moved into the 1917 portion of the Megquier-Houck building in 1986, and expanded into the 1920 addition in 2007.

Thank you, "Friend of the Museum," for mailing this photograph to your museum.

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

Visit the museum, Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; visit the museum online at its website, 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 by telephone at 208-267-7720. Thank you for your continued support.