Out of the Past November 4 2026

100 Years Ago—

In dedication of the new central high school building, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Josephine Corliss Preston, will speak in the auditorium Monday evening. Her message will be of interest to parents and patrons of the Colville schools. Supt. G.L. Putnave, working with the PTA (Parent-Teacher Association), was instrumental in bringing Preston to Colville, stating that her talk will be well worth the time of everyone.

James O. Gifford, for whom the town of Gifford on the Columbia River was named, was buried at the IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) cemetery at Gifford last Saturday. He died Thursday morning of last week at the home he had built when he first came to Stevens County from Michigan in 1884.

75 Years Ago—

NORTHPORT – Ground has been broken for an apartment building, 22x58 feet at the corner of Summit Ave., directly across the street from the Grange Hall. It will be a two-story building consisting of three apartments and an office space.

Another Colville civic activity attracted nationwide attention among a select group when The American Soroptimist, published in Philadelphia, PA., printed a picture of the fireplace in the Colville City Park, which was built of stone from the old Hudson’s Bay post at old Fort Colvile, located along the Columbia River. The fireplace was erected by the club this past summer

50 Years Ago—

If Colville receives a federal grant for $287,073 for a new fire station it will be the “Cadillac” of fire stations, Ben Inman, city planner told Colville Chamber of Commerce members Tuesday noon.

The all-new R.E. Lee Ace Hardware Center, located at Colville’s south city limits, will be celebrating their grand opening today, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, according to owners, Ken and Mae Hancock.

25 Years Ago—

It has been 10 years since the last popular “Colville Christmas Money” promotion was held locally. The Statesman-Examiner has decided to reinstate the promotion as a way of giving customers and retailers a great opportunity to have a successful yuletide season.

Colville residents will be paying exorbitant sewer rates if either the state legislature or the Department of Ecology (DOE) can’t provide some relief from the costs of the city’s DOE-mandated Wastewater Treatment Facility. The mayor and engineers met with legislators on Oct. 31 to convey the city’s dilemma.

The Chewelah Peak Environmental Learning Center, a facility to teach outdoor education and leadership, anticipates beginning the first phase of construction in December

10 Years Ago—

The Colville City Swimming Pool is getting a set of new filters. The 48-foot diameter steel containers currently under the pool are the original filters installed in the mid-1950s.

The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars are teaming up this year to honor veterans on Nov. 11. A ceremony will take place outside the Stevens County Courthouse starting at 11 a.m.