From the Archives - Nov. 30, 2023
The Pathfinders Monument is pictured in this photo shared by the Boundary County Museum. The monument was moved to an area near the new library and the by-pass mini-park.
(Photo courtesy BOUNDARY COUNTY MUSEUM)
This Week in History - 50 Years Ago: "On a rainy afternoon recently, work began toward relocating the David Thompson memorial. It is indeed a 'monumental' task moving a 15-ton historical marker from the Burlington Northern Depot, where it has stood since 1926, to this new site in the downtown mini-park."
The pathfinders monument donated by the Franco American branch of the American Goodwill Association was placed on its foundation near the Great Northern Depot in June 1926. It was unveiled to the public on July 19 of that year. The 9,600-pound monument has inscriptions on both sides commemorating the first travel route for early explorers. Designed by E.D. Litchfield, it is made of Kettle River sandstone from the quarry in Pine County, Minnesota.
Two special 15-car Great Northern trains arrived on July 19 full of "prominent individuals" - 150 people on the two trains. "Chief Many Tail Feathers, 95 year old Blackfoot, stepped forward with left arm raised and silently invoked the Great Spirit to bless the monument and to bless its spirit of cooperation between Indian and white."
The monument was moved to an area near the new library and the by-pass mini park.
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., or visit the museum online at 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 at 208-267-7720.