Remembering, not living the past

Conversations with friends recently concluded we were remembering, not living the past. We also agreed our memories were better than we thought.

Businesses in Columbia Falls 65 years ago included the Park Theatre. Tickets had a special student rate of 30 cents, adults 50 cents, and children through 11 years 20 cents.

Joint public notice was given by Dr. R.F. Miller and Dr. J.J. Mitschke, local doctors. Patients were notified “due to increase in operating costs and the rise of prices in general, we have found it necessary to raise our fees for professional services. The following fee schedule will be in effect on and after Jan. 5, 1948: office calls, $3.00; house calls, $4.00, and night calls, $6.00.”

Businesses advertising were Crouch Jewelry, Calvin Crouch; Gambles, Chet Seymer; Glacier Furniture, Columbia Falls Lumber, Pat Kelly.

Fresh and staple groceries, self service and the Big Store, were available according to advertising by the Park Mercantile, Anderson Bros. and Martin-Davall.

Herrington and Christensen, welding, blacksmithing, Rice Electric, E.J. Lundstrom, sand and gravel, basement digging, ditching, Fixit Shop, Hill’s Service Station, Hoerner Plumbing and Heating, Barnard Brothers, log mill, Clarence Ray, contractor, Claude Bolick, accountant, Club Barber Shop, Ray Nelson, Snack Shack, Burt’s Barber Shop and Burton Carlson were other Columbia Falls advertisers..

New town of Martin City had Glacier Coram Lumber Co., Byrd’s Grocery, Clothes Horse, Inc., Royal Theater, the Town Office, Mr. and Mrs. V.E. Greene, Mr. and Mrs. Earle Hollingsworth, Martin City Grocery, Miller and Sather, Jean’s Fountain, Montana Trading Post, war surplus.

Big news for Martin City and area residents was the new town would become a Flathead County law enforcement center. It was explained construction of the $1 million Hungry Horse Dam was reason for the decision.

A fireproof jail with three cells would be constructed within weeks. Sheriff Dick Walsh said that at least one deputy would be stationed in the new upper Flathead County headquarters for the sheriff’s force. Radio contact for sheriff’s office in Kalispell and patrol cars would be maintained. Parley Walton, Columbia Falls, was named a deputy.

It is always appreciated when readers comment names in columns have been remembered through the years and bring back memories. 

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.