Yesterdays: Housing was a problem in the Flathead 70 years ago, too
An “Unknown Cheering Section” that had been frequenting Wildcat games, photo taken Feb. 16, 1984.
70 years ago
Feb. 19, 1954
Columbia Falls was dealing with a housing problem due to the new Anaconda Aluminum Plant. It was estimated about 575 new residences would be needed in the Flathead to accommodate 450 plant workers and 450 people with jobs created in service and supply trades as a result of the increased population.
60 years ago
Feb. 14, 1964
Columbia Falls school enrollment increases were anticipated due to an Anaconda Aluminum Plant expansion. Seven to ten additional classrooms were needed. Debate was ongoing whether to spend $30,000 to rehabilitate the dorms and Talbott annex or have the children attend school in shifts.
50 years ago
Feb. 15, 1974
With voluntary or forced gas rationing due to limited supplies, fewer Americans were expected to be visiting the western parks. Hungry Horse News Editor Mel Ruder took a trip across the Canadian border to see if Montana’s proximity to Alberta’s gasoline exporting province would benefit it, and found that while Canadian gas prices had not changed so much as in the U.S., Canadians were being advised to avoid the U.S. due to the shortage.
40 years ago
Feb. 16, 1984
District Court Judge Michael Keedy upheld the death sentence for Canadian Ronald Smith, who admitted to killing two young Blackfeet from Browning in 1982. Today Smith is still on Montana’s death row due to a suit challenging the constitutionality of lethal injection.
30 years ago
Feb. 17, 1994
Five hundred and fifty-two total Columbia Falls students received immunization shots against tetanus and diphtheria and measles, mumps and rubella to comply with a new state law requiring a second MMR booster for students. The requirement followed outbreaks of measles in younger age groups.
20 years ago
Feb. 12, 2004
Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad was working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife to release a conservation plan after their trains struck three grizzly bears the previous year. The plan would allow for the legal “taking” of grizzly bears in exchange for BNSF-funded protection plans and grizzly bear research projects.
10 years ago
Feb. 19, 2014
The Flathead Basin Commission considered partnering with Working Dogs for Conservation to help control the spread of aquatic invasives. The dogs could be trained to sniff out zebra mussels on boats entering Montana and alert their handlers.