Yesterdays: Getting ready for a nuclear attack
Deer feed along teh access road to the Hungry Horse Dam construction. Crews had been feeding them hay. March 12, 1950. (Mel Ruder photo)
70 years ago
March 17, 1950
Columbia Falls firemen were holding a St. Patrick’s day dance to raise money for the department. Contractors had cleared snow up the South Fork to Dry Park to harvest timber for the Hungry Horse dam project.
60 years ago
March 18, 1960
The new St. Richard’s Church was to be dedicated. A 16-hour nuclear detection course was held at the Hungry Horse School. The course was designed to teach people how to use equipment to detect radiation in the event of a nuclear attack. A batch of radioactive cobalt was brought into the school to use for the class.
50 years ago
March 20, 1970
Editor Mel Ruder wrote an editorial critical of School District 6 for a policy that didn’t allow unwed mothers or married couples to go through Columbia Falls High School graduation. While the students would get diplomas, they weren’t allowed at the ceremony. “It would seem that if a student meets the requirements for a diploma, they should be treated with deserving dignity and participate in graduation.”
40 years ago
March 20, 1980
The Hungry Horse News wrote an editorial opposing oil and gas exploration in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. “Any type of mineral exploration is a giant step towards breaking down the barriers erected around this precious preserve.” An Amtrak train derailed in East Glacier Park and at least 33 people were injured but no one was killed.
30 years ago
March 22, 1990
Glacier View District Ranger Tom Hope was considering allowing dynamite to be used to create pothole habitat near Hay Creek and other areas up the North Fork, but the Swan View Coalition had concerns and appealed a decision to allow the blasting, saying it would impact moose and grizzly bears in the area.
20 years ago
March 16, 2000
A “War on the West” demonstration was planned for Libby. Organizer Terry Andreessen said the non-militant rally was designed to protest “the out-of-control extreme environmental movement.” The speakers, he said, would be “real American people.” No politicians would be allowed to speak.
10 years ago
March 18, 2010
Funeral ceremonies were held for Army Pfc. Nick Cook of Hungry Horse who was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan. War.