Out of the Past: 03/11/2026

100 Years Ago—

The state highway committee will open bids April 13 on construction of 12.3 miles of the Inland Empire Highway south from Barstow to the Kettle Falls of the Columbia River, in Ferry County. The work will require the balance of the year for grading, draining and construction. No surfacing will be done until next year.

A 1926 model Rex concrete mixer was delivered this week by Keller Hardware Co. to Rusch & Campbell. The machine is on rubber-tired wheels, with a 2-horse gas engine for power, and will mix 35 cubic yards of concrete in a day. This means that at maximum operation the machine will prepare enough concrete to lay 600 feet of 4-foot sidewalk using six men, in a day.

75 Years Ago—

The sale of the Washington Water Power Company to Eastern Washington Public Utility District was held up for at least another two to three days on Wednesday when Judge B.B. Horrigan of Pasco continued a temporary restraining order issued by Judge W. Lon Johnson a week ago.

The Board of Publications at Montana University in Missoula, Mont., announced this week the appointment of Pat Graham of Colville as business manager, one of the two top spots on the university’s daily paper. Graham is a 1948 graduate of Colville High School.

The Colville Business and Professional Women will present a preview of 1951 spring fashions at their annual style show here March 12. The affair will be held in the Elks Temple at 8 p.m.

50 Years Ago—

David H. Chance, who has headed archeology work at old Fort Colvile and at Old Kettle Falls, started new exploration in that area this week under funding from the Bureau of Reclamation. Working at the Hudson’s Bay Ft. Colvile site are seven students, plus two helpers under Chance.

Northwest Alloys, Inc. this week announced it will formally dedicate its new multi-million dollar magnesium and silicon plant Thursday, May 13, 1976, at 11 a.m.

A $6,000 budget for the Colville Valley Bicentennial Pageant week was set this week by the committee, according to Patrick J. Graham, general chairman.

Art Avey, former logging manager for Avey Bros. Lumber Co. at Kettle Falls, announced this week he has joined Dominion Motors in Colville as part owner.

25 Years Ago—

The City of Colville recently determined that the proposed project to expand the existing Wal-Mart store to more than double its present size “does not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment.”

The Haran Dancers will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in style with “The Haran Dancers Millennial Irish Dance Celebration” this Friday at the Met Theater in Spokane and with a second, shorter performance at the Spokane Opera House in conjunction with the Spokane Symphony on Sunday. The Kettle Falls-based dance troupe just got back from a well-attended performance in Libby, Mont.

10 Years Ago—

Beside the roadway entrance to Colville Mountain, hanging on trees, weather-worn and damaged, used to be a sign indicating vehicles, motorcycles and ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) were only allowed on established trails. That’s no longer the case. Even on well defined trails, it is illegal for all motorized vehicles to drive on Colville Mountain.