Out of the Past: 04/01/2026

100 Years Ago—

Colville’s March weather came close to breaking the record, both for temperature and precipitation. Maximum temperature was 73 degrees on April 6 with a minimum temperature of 20 degrees. The average for the month was 44 degrees, which was only exceeded in the last 26 years by March 1910 when the average was 44.5 degrees.

April 16 will be the 60^th anniversary of the arrival of John Rickey in Stevens County. He is the county’s oldest settler. With the exception of several who were born here, he holds the record for the longest continuous residence. He built the first large business building on Colville’s Main Street.

Fishing licenses are now on sale at R. E. Lee Co. for $6. 

75 Years Ago—

Lower fire insurance rates were authorized for Kettle Falls this week by the National Board of Underwriters. The Board lowered the grading of the city from nine to eight as result of the purchase by the city of a new fire truck and completion of other improvements.

Immediate need for a vehicle ferry service at Northport was outlined on Tuesday by Judge W. Lon Johnson at a meeting of the Colville Chamber of Commerce. Judge Johnson, who summarized work done so far to get vehicle ferry service established, urged the Colville Chamber and other business organizations in the Inland Empire to take action on the ferry problem.

50 Years Ago—

The Polka Dot Warehouse Mark-It will open its doors for business on Monday, April 19, according to Bob Porter, owner. The Warehouse Mark-It is located at the north end of Colville, formerly Porter’s Polka Dot.

A unique new store will open in Colville in two weeks as part of the Colville Valley Bicentennial Pageant celebration. It will be called the “Bicentennial Store.” The store will be open for only 42 days.

The cross atop Colville Mountain is fully lit once again. Due to vandals, only one of the six spotlights was working, illuminating only the bottom portion of the 55-foot cross. The Colville Jaycees are responsible for the maintenance of the cross and the lighting system.    

25 Years Ago—

The city of Colville has received the official blessing of the Washington State Department of Transportation on the roundabout proposed for the south entrance to town at Hawthorne Avenue.

The annual Hunters 4-H and Community Fair has chosen the theme and logo submitted by Dianne Eppler. A contest is now being held to name the Hunters Fair’s biggest little cowboy or cowgirl in the logo. The fair will be held Aug. 18.

10 Years Ago—

There is a long history to this week’s Equal Pay Day, on April 12. But here’s the short version: in 1963 when President John Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act, women were earning 59 cents to every dollar earned by a man doing equal work. The goal of the Act, of course, was to bridge that gap.

Along with support from the Colville High School music department, the Vinson Fund is sponsoring singer-songwriter Douglas Cameron and his partner, John Fricke, who will perform a free community concert on Friday at the high school.