Out of the Past 06/03/26

100 Years Ago—

The 40-horsepower electric motor at the city well burned out last week, and, while waiting for another motor, the water in the reservoirs became lowered to the extent that the mayor asked Colville users to temporarily refrain from lawn sprinkling. The mayor, city council, city officials, and health officers met Wednesday evening at the courthouse with the county commissioners, county attorney, and county health officer, to discuss the matter of an isolation hospital for contagious diseases. There have been so few occasions for the use of an isolation hospital in past years that the commissioners have not felt obliged to create one. Several cases of contagious disease this spring have brought the matter to public attention.

75 Years Ago—

Benny Buchanan began construction of a new business building on North Main Street this week. The concrete structure is being erected next to the Nix- on Electric Company building (present-day Logger Tavern). The 30x90 foot structure will house two businesses. Margaret Frye, who saved four children from a flaming house in Park Rapids district last October, was admitted to Mt. Carmel Hospital this week for further surgery. Adjustments of tuition and fees for students, which will mean a $2.50 in- crease per semester at Washington State College, were approved by the Board of Regents. The revised schedule brings the total up to $75. It was formerly $72.50.

50 Years Ago—

Over 260 people signed the guest register at the dedication of the McDow- ell Memorial Building on Sunday. The building has been built by the Stevens County Historical Society, named in honor of the late Bud McDowell. One of the big scenes of the Colville Valley Pageant to be staged this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at the Colville Athletic Field is “Tom Aspend’s Barber Shop.” The Colville Kiwanis Club takes on the acting roles of this scene, which depicts many Colville early people: Aspend, Lee, Ledgerwood, and Dr. Harvey. One highlight of the scene is the chase between the whisky runners and the federal agents, starring Ivan Harlan. Also in the scene is Ledgerwood’s encounter with a bear.

25 Years Ago—

Local cattlemen Dale and Vicki Hedrick of Onion Creek have been named this year’s Cattleman of the Year. Dale, who has been involved with SCCA (Stevens County Cattlemen’s Association) for 12 years, and his wife Vicki, run a commercial herd of approximately 150 brood cows at their ranch in the On- ion Creek area. After 15 years of languishing behind the kitchen pavilion in the Orient Park, the historic First Thought lookout cabin is on the move again to a place of prominence along Main Street Orient. Avista Utilities will host an open house for Kettle Falls community members on June 6 to discuss the company’s plan for a new, and temporary, power generation facility this summer that will benefit Avista Utilities customers.

10 Years Ago—

The city of Colville is asking for the public’s help in developing a management plan for the aging trees in Yep Kanum Park. Issues to be considered in the plan include identifying hazardous and unhealthy trees and how to deal with them, impacts to park use and in the future, and long range management and maintenance of the trees.