Out of the Past: 07/30/2025

100 Years Ago—

“You should capitalize your scenery,” said E. L. DeLestry, editor of Western Magazine of St. Paul, Minn., after viewing Kettle Falls and the Columbia River scenery last Sunday in company with a party of Kettle Falls and Colville people.

More than 2,500 drivers’ licenses were distributed by the county auditor throughout the county besides the number that were sent direct to auto dealers and garages, and a large number has been distributed by the Colville Examiner. Beginning today, everyone who drives a car must have a new drivers’ license. The licenses were issued in 1923, and since, expired last evening.

75 Years Ago—    

A flying saucer came to Colville this week. Jim Murdock, mechanic at Dallas Garage, saw one at 7:30 a.m. Sunday over Draper’s mill. Murdock said the silver saucer appeared over Mingo Mountain. He watched it for about 30 seconds.

Electric refrigerators were the biggest electrical appliance sales item in Colville during June, according to a sales summary released by the Washington Water Power Company this week.  Electrical dealers in the city sold a total of 63 refrigerators during the month, the report showed.  The figures were taken before the current war scare boom.

50 Years Ago—  

“A great kid pleaser” – The A&W Great Root Bear was in Colville at the A&W Restaurant and drew oodles of kids. Free candy and balloons were handed out by Root Bear and Ron Derogatis, A&W owner-manager. Dave McCloud played the major role.

Bryan Construction of Colville started construction this week of the new $50,000 Mode O’Day building at 120 N. Main Street. The new building will be situated between Walden Insurance Agency and the offices of Dr. Lawson and Fine and Beardslee Realty.

Wayne Henderson of Orient, present leading cowboy in the Washington Rodeo Association, took second in calf roping and teamed up with his brother, Chris, to take second in team roping at the Deer Park Rodeo last weekend.

25 Years Ago—

Political candidates and dignitaries from around the region joined Pend Oreille County residents for a grand re-opening of the venerable Tiger Store last Saturday. The dedication was part of last weekend’s Downriver Days celebration in neighboring Metaline, Metaline Falls and Ione.

Colville city council members voted to change the style of stairway to be included in the boulder retaining wall between Birch and Astor Streets that is scheduled to begin this week as a part of the Colville 2000 Project. The approved plan called for reinforced concrete stairs. The stairway will now be made of cut stone. The cost is estimated at roughly half of the initial $63,000 price tag.

10 Years Ago—

The Woodland Theatre stage was stripped to its figurative “bones” last Wednesday and Saturday as volunteers wrenched up nails and boards in the beginning of the stage’s refurbishing project. In June, Colville City Council bequeathed $5,000 from the Vinson Fund to the Woodland Theatre, located in Kettle Falls.

The 85^th anniversary of the Colville Kiwanis Club beef barbecue will be held Thursday, July 30, at the Colville City Park.