Out of the Past 6/23/26

100 Years Ago—

W.L. Biggar, county treasurer, gives the following figures regarding the collection of the current year’s taxes ending May 31: total 1925 real estate tax on rolls, $456,910.70; amount collected to Jan. 1, $327,492.10; percent collected, 60. Chewelah will have a new high school building. The contract has been given to Geoge Schreiner of Walla Walla who is also building the new Colville High school. Reductions varying from $39 to $49.50 have been made in Fords. Touring cars have been reduced from $516.30 to $475. The price on roadsters is now $455 compared to $496.

75 Years Ago—

This large fireplace put in the city park in 1950 by Colville’s Soroptimist Club was presented to the city by the club during ceremonies last week. The stones used in building the fireplace are from old Fort Colvile, and were used in the fireplace of the Hudson Bay post over 100 years ago. They were donated by Judge Lon Johnson of Colville. (Note: the fireplace is being removed according to the city. Stevens County Historical Society is in charge of the removal of the stones and bricks; they will be located on the museum grounds as soon as the removal is complete.)

50 Years Ago—

Several months of preparation by Kettle Falls Lions culminated last Sunday in a July Fourth spectacular which featured pictures from the past of the Columbia River Valley and Kettle Falls area. The highlight of the day came with the fireworks display which was described by observers as “tremendous.” The gross income of Colville’s Post Office seems to be increasing along with the growth of the area’s population, said Gordon Carr, postmaster of the local office. According to figures released this week, the first six months of 1976 show a total income of $146,485.90, compared to $109,840.57 for the first six months of 1975. That is an increase of $36,645.33.

25 Years Ago—

High production costs and collapsing metal prices have conspired to doom Northwest Alloys. Alcoa, Inc. announced on Friday morning that it would put more than 300 workers at the Addy magnesium smelter out of work as of Oct. 1, 2001, because of untenable production cost and unfavorable market conditions. A Vista House on Colville Mountain will be proposed at the June 26 Colville City Council meeting. According to John Acorn, who requested it be put on the council agenda, a Vista House at one time stood in front of where the cross was later erected. Over 2,000 county families are active borrowers at the Colville Public Library along with an additional 1,300 city families, according to figures released by Stevens County Rural Library District Director Regan Robinson.

10 Years Ago—

The Kettle Falls Historical Center is seeking local artists for an annual “marketing” contest and exhibits. The center wants to celebrate the rich history of the Columbia River area through art. Washington’s average annual wages grew by 2.6% in 2015 to $56,273, according to the State Employment Security Department.