No headline
The Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant from the air, April 20, 1959. (Mel Ruder photo)
70 years ago
July 30, 1948
Bungalow Mountain Lookout George Hossack bushwhacked six miles through heavy timber and brush to put out a lightning-caused fire in the South Fork of the Flathead. It was in an area too rough for smokejumpers. A man watched a mountain goat lose its footing and slide down a snowfield near Iceberg Lake in Glacier. The estimate at the time was Glacier had about 900 goats.
60 years ago
Aug. 1, 1958
The Flathead National Forest had 25 fires so far, many of them caused by careless smokers. The trail over Glacier Park’s Boulder Pass had opened. Snow sections had been treaded, but horse parties were urged to carry a shovel, just in case. Front page featured crowds enjoying Iceberg Lake, just as they do today. Columbia Falls was preparing for Progress Days, with a barbecue, variety show and crowning of the Progress Days queen.
50 years ago
Aug. 2, 1968
The Flathead National Forest had plans for campgrounds on Elk Island in the Hungry Horse Reservoir as well as Fire Island, also in the reservoir. Columbia Falls was celebrating its “summer carnival” with a rodeo and a parade on Sunday. Of note was a free Tarzan movie for the kids at the Park Theater.
40 years ago
July 28, 1978
Mathew Brent Anderson of California was bitten and scratched by a grizzly bear after he got the bright idea to camp at Trout Lake in Glacier Park which was closed at the time because of bear problems. The bear bit him in the head and scratched his shoulder while he was sleeping. He escaped by swimming into the lake. Rangers finally nabbed him and gave the teen some first aid before he went to the hospital. Some of the scratches went down to the bone.
30 years ago
July 27, 1988
A snake from Australia was found in some alumina ore at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant. A worker who found the snake was urged not to handle it — only about eight snakes in Australia weren’t poisonous. An Oregon firm was building a $3.5 million planer at the F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Mill in Columbia Falls.
20 years ago
July 30, 1998
A story on the Bengtson family of West Glacier noted they had cleared the trail to Loneman Lookout near the Middle Fork of the Flathead River for the past seven years; cutting anywhere from 25 to 100 trees along the long and steep route to the lookout. Flathead County closed the Red Bridge in Columbia Falls to walkers and cyclists. It’s been closed ever since.
10 years ago
July 31, 2008
A grizzly jumped on a tent and pulled out the sleeping bag at the Old Man Lake backcountry campground in Glacier. No one was in the tent, which didn’t fare too well. The bear hadn’t been back, according to park biologist John Waller. CEO Rick Holley was optimistic about Plum Creek Timber Co.’s future, even though the local mills had seen millions in losses.