From the Archives - Aug. 15, 2024

"In 1903, a young automotive engineer with an idea approached John and Horace Dodge. He contracted with them to produce his first car, the Ford Model A. After a few years of financial success, the Dodge Brothers and Henry Ford had a serious falling out. By 1914, the Dodge Brothers went into the business of building cars on their own high quality standards. They were, again, incredibly successful. Why did the Dodge Brothers choose the Star of David for their new car emblem? The question is not, why they chose the Star of David as their company’s signature emblem, but did they? No one will ever know for sure because the brothers both died suddenly, within weeks of each other, in 1920. A possible answer for the Star is that it was not a Star at all. The six-pointed two interlocking triangles or overlaid triangles each form the Greek letter for “delta.” Delta is associated with the scientific concept of change. Inside the Dodge Brothers Star are the letters “D” and “B” – Dodge Brothers." ~ History of Dodge Brothers

This Dodge Brothers radiator grill shell - with a 9B farm license plate - was donated to the Museum by the heirs of Thomas and Sarah Lannigan. Thomas and Sarah arrived in Boundary County in 1934. They made their home on a ranch four and a half miles north of Bonners Ferry. The family cleared the land to make space for their home and small farm. Their daughter, Blanche, married Bob Meeker.

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

Visit the museum, Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., or visit the website at boundarycountymuseum.org or the museum’s Facebook page for historical photos and stories, and to see upcoming events. The museum can be reached via email at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or by phone at 208-267-7720.