Out of the Past November 11 2026

100 Years Ago—

Operations were commenced on Monday in the sawmill of the Fred Draper Lumber Company for the season’s run, and the company’s plant is now the scene of much activity with the planing mill and dry kiln in operation, together with the sawmill. About 200,000 feet of logs are in the yard for sawing. Hauling more logs from the woods by truck is in progress.

Colville will soon have the service of its new lighting system. The lamp posts and fixtures have been installed on Main Street and the overhead fixtures in the residence sections are being installed.

Colville’s new central high school building was formally opened to the public Monday night.

Clifford Exley and Archie Buckley, former Colville High School football stars, were prominent figures in the rival football game between the Washington State College (WSC) freshmen team and the University of Idaho. (Note: both athletes went on to be stars at WSC. Colville High School, following Buckley’s death during World War II, awarded an inspirational trophy in his honor to a deserving athlete in football, basketball, and baseball.)

75 Years Ago—

Completion of Forest Highway No. 20, known as the Sherman Creek Road, between Kettle Falls and Republic, entails surfacing and oiling of 22 miles of the 37- mile route, according to a letter written by Ferry County Commissioners to the eastern Washington delegation in Congress.

Parents of School District 115 received a new type of report card this week on the progress of their sons and daughters. The report, developed after much work by the entire faculty, incorporates the A-B-C-D grading system that has been sought after by so many parents.

50 Years Ago—

In Stevens County, due to changes in recent years in the birth rate and in life expectancy, the median age of the local population is now approximately 33.6 years.

Mount Carmel Hospital has recently installed a new personal color television system for the convenience of patients.

Mayor Gene Scamahorn again expressed his concern to the Colville City Council over what he felt to be a lack of communication concerning the city police department’s recent decision to join the Teamsters Union.

25 Years Ago—

In the Colville School District, the 2001-2002 school year has meant the implementation of a new addition to the high school. A 20x40 art room at the high school was converted to a district-wide print center.

Little progress has been made in determining what went awry at the Colville Fish Hatchery on the night of Nov. 7, when water loss resulted in the death of 170,000 of the hatchery’s fish. Only 10,000 fish remained.

Venerable Albi Stadium in Spokane will host three semi-final state prep football games this Saturday. Heading the list of teams will be top-ranked Inchelium. The 10-0 Hornets blasted Touchet 45-0 in two quarters of B-8 quarter-final football Saturday in Kettle Falls, and will host fourth-ranked Lacrosse-Washtucna on Saturday at Albi.

10 Years Ago—

Several observances and ceremonies were held last week to pay homage to those who have served and currently serve in the military. Veterans were honored for their service to the United States in a morning ceremony last Thursday at Colville High School. A photo appeared in the Statesman-Examiner of Kylo Matlock embracing his great-grandfather, Tom Dodson, during the program. Dodson, who served in the U.S. Air Force for four years as a pilot, will be 93 next month. (2026 Note: Dodson will be 103 next month and is still living at his home in Colville.)