Out of the Past: 11/05/2025

100 Years Ago—

Next Wednesday is Armistice Day, proclaimed a holiday by Governor Hartley, who urges that the people take a brief respite from their daily labors and contemplate the lessons taught by the World War. The Governor’s proclamation says, “Nov. 11, 1918, will be memorable throughout the ages. It was on that day that millions of men under arms ceased firing and the greatest conflict in human history was at an end.”

An entertainment and basket social was held at the Douglas Falls Schoolhouse on Halloween evening. The room was decorated appropriately for the occasion, making one feel that he was in witchland.

Miss Bernice LaPlant, teacher at Bossburg, and Richard Dupius of Colville were first place prize winners in the $50 foxtrot contest staged by the American Legion last Saturday night at the Kettle Falls Pavilion.

75 Years Ago—

The new Mount Carmel Hospital will be built on Columbia Avenue in the southeastern part of the city of Colville. The new and modern structure is to cost $700,000, and will be erected by the Dominican Sisters, operators of the present hospital.

One hundred nine Stevens County veterans who were killed in World War II will be honored here on Armistice Day. The Post of the American Legion will honor the veterans at the dedication of a plaque on the center path in front of the courthouse.

50 Years Ago—

Rumors were growing throughout the county this week as to the possibility of the Van Stone Mine re-opening.

A formal presentation will be presented at next Tuesday’s city council meeting for a new fire station for Colville. Fire chief Bill Bronson approached the council Tuesday night with a sketch of the plans during their budget hearing.

25 Years Ago—

This week, with less than a week remaining before the Nov. 7, general election, the Statesman-Examiner has produced a record number of editorial/opinion pages. Statesman-Examiner readers will find a variety of information of initiatives, endorsements and a near-record number of letters to the editor on pages 4-11.

Mary Selecky, Washington State Secretary of Health, made a stop in Colville to speak at the Women Making A Difference banquet luncheon at the Community College. Over 300 women and men attended the fund-raiser.

10 Years Ago—

NORTHPORT—The figures are impressive: 535 truckloads of contaminated soil, for a total of seven tons of contaminants, were removed from 200,000 square feet of 14 Northport area properties. All the work was done in 12 weeks, with an estimated 12,000 hours of labor, all for $5 million. The soil remediation project, overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA) and paid for by Teck Resources, a Trail, B.C. smelter, has reached completion.

Northeast A League champions Colville (8-1) will draw Eatonville in the opening round of the State 1A football playoffs.

Cutline: Colville Armistice Day 1918. Photo courtesy Stevens County Historical Society.