Out of the Past October 14, 2026

Out of the Past

Courtesy Stevens County Historical Museum, 700 North Wynne

100 Years Ago—

Upon urgent request of W. Lon Johnson, several members of the state Senate and representatives of the Eastern Washington Highway Association will be in Colville on Monday and will go over the road from Marcus to Northport and on to Trail, with the view of studying the existing condition in view of improvement and connecting the road with State Highway 22. The visit of these men will give them first-hand information of the need for a road up the Columbia River, a short section near Northport having been completed as a permanent highway.

The Crown Willamette Paper Company, operators of the dolomite plant roughly six miles east of Colville, signed a three-year contract last week for the hauling of raw rock and kilned dolomite from the plant to the railroad in Colville.

Lamp parts for the city lighting system will be shipped from San Francisco on Oct. 20, according to J. C. Roberts, contractor of the installing job.

75 Years Ago—

Plans are underway to restore the St. Paul Mission overlooking the Kettle falls by the Knights of Columbus. The mission was built by Father De Smet, a Jesuit priest, near Hudson Bay Fort Colvile, and overlooks the falls on the Columbia River.

Don Carter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Porter Carter of Colville, has purchased the Snack Shack Café in Kettle Falls and re-opened the business the first of the week.

Fred Seiger, of Addy, won top honors in the Stevens County talent show at the city hall last Friday evening. He placed first in the older group and won $5 cash with his reading of “The Horse Race.”

50 Years Ago—

The swine flu vaccination program is back in full swing throughout the nation and Stevens County is no exception. The program has progressed smoothly not only in Stevens County, but throughout the state. It had been halted last week due to the death of several individuals who had received the vaccination.

Smith’s Café in Colville, owned for the past 20 years by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wilcox, was sold this month to Mr. and Mrs. Dean Waterman of Colville.

25 Years—

The official lighting of the new cross atop Colville Mountain will take place this Friday night to help kick off the annual Moonlight Madness Sale, according to members of the reconstruction group. Ken Macomber and John Acorn spearheaded the construction of the new cross.

“Family History Month” will be featured in the display case of the Colville Public Library during the month of October. This exhibit is shared by the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society.

10 Years Ago—

Every autumn, the Colville High School Alumni Association gathers to assemble the recently graduated senior class photo display. This small group of volunteers is comprised of Joan Carter, Connie Hawkins, and Adena Enright. For anyone with family on the alumni wall, they know how important it is to preserve the pictures.

Dennis Vaagen was re-elected president of the Stevens County Historical Society at their annual meeting last week.

Cutline: St. Paul's Mission. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society.