1909 Board of Trade

GLADYS SHAY / For the Hungry Horse News

Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce banquet attended by 150 men and women, Feb. 4, 1956, included history plus current goals.

Dr. W. F. Bennett, Chamber president, commented that "glad to be here" remark of a speaker such as himself on such occasions was not the truth.

He briefly told of projects including endorsement of a better North Fork Road and Akamina pass route into Waterton, proposed Middle Fork diversion, support Columbia Falls bond issue to lead to better streets, and good will between communities.

Future projects outlined by Dr. Bennett included new high school, more and better business for the community, better streets and sidewalks, sewage disposal system, and hospital.

James Cumming, past president, was toast master.

Past presidents E. J. Marantette and Chet Seymer were speakers.

Marantette told of the summer of 1909 when Columbia Falls Board of Trade was organized. Officers were A. L. Jordan, president; C. E. Clemens, vice president; J. M. Grist, treasurer, Martin Conlin, secretary.

Trustees were Thomas Linden and F. C. Sheeran.

Committees named in 1909 were auditing, J. A. Brinkerhoff, T. V. Kilduff and A. N. Smith; nominations, E. J. Murray, H. C. Slevage, A. D. Priest, James Kennedy and Dave Greve.

Board of Trade receipts for their first year showed at $ 216.65 with $131.60, expenses.

Marantette recalled little activity until Oct. 14, 1912, when Columbia Falls Commercial Club was organized. Their first officers were J. F. Henley, president; T. V. Kilduff, vice president; Fred M. Ferrell, secretary; George D. Watt, treasurer, a position he held for 40 years.

Commercial Club rented rooms in the bank building with two pool tables, chairs and card tables. Initiation fee was $3 with $1 a month dues.

It prospered until 1917-18 when members left for the World War I service. It was necessary to sell the pool tables and furniture in 1919 to pay back rent and debts.

Projects 90 years ago included getting the first North Fork Road built to Canyon Creek, helping push a road through Bad Rock Canyon and later on to Belton and Nyack flats.

A rodeo, July 4, 1921, raised funds to buy location of present swimming pool. Deed to the Tourist Park was made by H. J. Mustell, depot agent and Commercial Club president, to Mayor T. V. Kilduff, Sept. 21, 1921.

More history of Columbia Falls Commercial Club will be reported in my column, March 18, 2010, issue. It always amazes me to remember many of these Columbia Falls businessmen from long ago.

My feeling is "the more things change the more they stay the same."

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident of Columbia Falls and a Hungry Horse News columnist.