Yesterdays: 1953, Midway Theater goes up

70 years ago

April 24, 1953

The Midway Theater Drive-In near the Blue Moon on Highway 40 was going up. F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber donated equipment to erect the 46-by-60 foot screen, which weighed 22 tons. It was made out of painted plywood and had an extensive support structure. The drive-in survived until 2015 when it was torn down to make way for a Murdoch’s store.

60 years ago

April 19, 1963

Hal Kanzler, his son Jim, 14, and Con Lundgren skied up to Granite Park Chalet and Swiftcurrent Pass in Glacier National Park. The snowdrifts at the chalet were up to the roof of the two-story building, which was about normal for that time of year.

50 years ago

April 20, 1973

Judge Robert C. Sykes dismissed a class action lawsuit filed by dentist Loren Kreck against the Anaconda Aluminum Co. Kreck and his wife claimed fluoride emissions from the plant north of town were killing trees and shrubs. But of the 1,300-plus notices sent out to people in a 24-square mile area around the plant, no one opted to join the suit, save for Kreck and two other parties. Kreck was given 20 days to file an individual claim against the company. The company since the suit was filed had reduced its fluoride emissions, but was still pumping out about 864 pounds a day.

40 years ago

April 23, 1983

The Big Sky Aquatic Park was under construction at the intersection of Highways 206 and Highway 2. The $1.85 million development featured waterslides and other amenities. It was owned by consortium of Canadian investors and was scheduled to open July 4.

30 years ago

April 22, 1993

A family’s life was shattered when Hungry Horse man Devin Walter was struck by a drunk driver while driving his motorcycle. Walter and his family felt let down by the system, as he had to live in a group home and was a paraplegic — it’s an all too familiar story that still plays out today.

20 years ago

April 17, 2003

A federal report cleared a bark plant that once sat off Railroad Street as having any contaminants other that tree bark floating through the air. Residents who lived downwind said dust from the plant coated their homes and made them sick. The tests didn’t look at mold or other living organisms. The plant also caught on fire frequently. The bark plant eventually went out of business and left the area.

10 years ago

April 17, 2013

Josiah Osborne was featured on the sports page competing in the long jump at the Flathead Time Trials. Today, he is a teacher at the high school and the school’s golf coach.