From the Archives - Feb. 27, 2025

"In 1908, A.J. Kent, local real estate dealer, acquired the property on the corner of Second and Kootenai streets. He remodeled the building on the site, making it into a one and a half storied civic hall." ~ Howard Kent, Jr. 

Kent's Hall, as it was known, held many meetings, dinners, and events. The Bonners Ferry High School held the first annual commencement for the 1909 graduates in the building. With the high curved ceiling, the space was an ideal spot for playing basketball. The 1910 high school students began calling the building "Ianetook Hall", as they called their teams (both boys and girls) the Ianetooks (Kootenai spelled backwards). One "hotly contested" game was held in 1913, when the Libby team beat Bonners Ferry with a score of 31-29. The seven graduates from the Class of 1913 spoke about that game for years. 

This advertisement, for a Bonners Ferry High School basketball game, ran in the BF Herald February 27, 1914. The admission to get into the game was 25 cents for adults and 15 cents for students. 

Prior to this game on February 28, 1914, there was some really "tough talk" going about town; the home team wanting to defend their court. 

Kent's Hall was packed with spectators from both cities. Each ready to cheer their lads on to victory. The visiting team came expecting to win, as they had already lost two games to Bonners Ferry during the season. Each team played at top speed; however after seven minutes of play, neither team had scored a basket. The crowd cheered louder to encourage the boys as Heathershaw made the first basket of the game. This excited the team, and the Ianetook players (Kent (Sr.), Campbell, and Heathershaw) brought the score up to 10 to 0 at half time. 

The second half was even more interesting, as it took another three minutes before Libby had their first score. Seven fouls were made by Bonners Ferry and two by Libby, although not one of the foul shots were made. The crowd got much louder with enthusiastic support for both teams; cheering them on and encouraging them to "better playing". This seemed to help, as Libby made five more baskets. But the "home boys pulled all the farther in the lead". The final score was 26 to 12. This game was one the five graduates of the Class of 1914 would remember. 

So, on that note, let us all cheer on our Bonners Ferry Badgers! 

Your 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.