Construction of new McAbee Falls bridge planned
River pigs work their magic during a log drive in 1944.
20 Years Ago — 2000
Museum doings
Norma Abraham’s name came out of the hat Sunday evening as the winner of the $1,000 cash prize in the “Select 60” dinner at the River Pigs. The event was a fundraiser for the Priest River Museum.
GG Fisher cut the ribbon opening the Nature Garden at the Priest Lake Museum Saturday, assisted by Ken Dunstan, district ranger.
30 Years Ago — 1990
Orr appointed Oldtown mayor
The Oldtown City Council appointed Councilman Brian Orr to replace retiring Willard Peterson as the town’s mayor, leaving one council position open to be filled by the council next month. Orr, who was elected to the council last November, will serve as the city’s acting mayor until Peterson’s term expires in 1992.
40 Years Ago — 1980
Board okays land swap at school
A land trade between Bonner County School District and Gene Dolittle was given the go-ahead by the school board at Wednesday night’s meeting in Sandpoint. The school land to be traded is at the north side of the high school driveway. The district will receive land on the south side of the driveway, Leonard Parenteau, assistant superintendent said. He said the trade will give the district 160 feet of frontage on Highway 57.
50 Years Ago — 1970
All-woman crew completes contract.
What is thought to be the first all-woman tree-thinning crew has completed a 27-acre contract with the Falls District of the Kaniksu National Forest. The same crew has planted trees and picked pine cones on the Falls District in the past. The crew consists of Irma Blayne, Nellie Brown, Jo Dietzel, Wanda Gumaer, Midge Hull and crew foreman, Molly Hansen. All live at Priest River or in the immediate surrounding area except Midge Hull, from Laclede.
60 Years Ago — 1960
Bridge construction may start
Construction of a new bridge across the Priest River at McAbee Falls may begin in September, according to James M. Mickelson, chairman of the Bonner County Board of Commissioners. Estimated cost of the structure is $78,000, with the county’s share estimated at $28,000. The bridge will be concrete with no superstructure.
70 Years Ago — 1950
New business to open
Roland Naccarato will operate the Hi-Way Cash and Carry in the former Hi-way Garage building one block south of the grade school. The business will consist of a complete line of grocery and feed store. This type of business will be the first of its kind here in that wholesale display and methods will be used direct to consumers. It will be a self-service retail business stressing case lot and quantity selling, but individual items will be sold.
80 Years Ago — 1940
Football field progressing
Last week a county bulldozer was at work on the school grounds. Most of the stumps and a portion of the trees that were left standing were removed. E. M. Brown has been removing the stumps so the football field may be put in shape.
90 Years Ago — 1930
River claims another logger
The Pend d’Oreille River claimed the life of another logger Friday morning when John Marquette, Sr. Road a log to his death. He was last seen riding a log a short distance above Vane’s Island, and it is not known whether he was thrown from his log by one of the many rocks there or whether he met his death at Albany (Albeni) Falls.
100 Years Ago — 1920
Huckleberry camp draws many
Everybody and somebody else are picking huckleberries. The little Priest Lake looks like a soldiers’ encampment in the evening, with the flickering camp fires and white tents against the dark background of the mighty mountains and the stately pines.