Yesterdays: Whitefish banker falls off Mount Siyeh in Glacier National Park
Dismantling the Columbia Falls Town Hall in March, 1950. The building was built in 1909 and purchased by Bill Smith for $400, who moved it to Nucleus Avenue. The building had a bell tower. (Mel Ruder photo)
70 years ago
Aug. 24, 1951
It appeared that the Harvey Machine Co. was “out” of the Flathead after terms of a government loan to build an aluminum plant in the valley were not amenable to the company. Glacier Park visitors reported seeing a strange animal in the park — rangers suspected it was a wolverine.
60 years ago
Aug. 25, 1961
Glacier Lanes observed its grand opening. The new bowling alley, featuring eight lanes, was owned by Bob and Tim Smith. Mayor LaMar Orndorff threw the first ceremonial ball down the lanes.
50 years ago
Aug. 27, 1971
Glacier National Park visitation topped the 1 million mark, a day before it had done so the year before. Columbia Falls was selling its bowling lanes, pin setter and a bar and kitchen all as a result of the Anaconda Aluminum Co. giving the city its 17,500-square foot employees club. City hall is still in the building today.
40 years ago
Aug. 27, 1981
A 7-year-old boy was literally in hot water after he watched a ranger-naturalist talk at Many Glacier. The ranger giving the talk heated up some water with a camp stove and after the program, the kid was messing with the stove and dumped the water on his arms and chest. He received second-degree burns in the incident.
30 years ago
Aug. 22, 1991
Whitefish banker Gordon Ochenrider was killed descending Mount Siyeh in Glacier National Park. He apparently fell off a cliff on the southwest slope of the mountain. He was on trial on federal charges of money laundering, but park officials found no signs of foul play in the incident.
20 years ago
Aug. 23, 2001
The Moose Fire was growing up the North Fork. It was 3,350 acres 11 miles north of Whitefish near Moose Lake. The fire would eventually burn well into Glacier National Park.
10 years ago
Aug. 24, 2011
A wolverine showed up the Big Creek campground up the North Fork, providing the sighting of a lifetime for campground host Sandy Ott. The critter ended up a tree after a dog in camp went after it. The wolverine eventually got down and went on its way.