Yesterdays: Hugh Foley of Martin City runs in Seattle with Olympic torch

70 years ago

July 9, 2024

As temperatures climbed into the 80s, the Lions Club was working to raise funds to fix the town swimming pool, which hadn’t been operational since 1948. The pool needed a host of repairs and fixes, including a drainage system.

60 years ago

July 10, 1964

A Bailey bridge near Essex had been put over the Middle Fork of the Flathead River to replace the one that had washed away in the June 8-9 flood. The bridge was temporary and one-way. It was 190 feet long and would serve as a crossing until a new one could be built.

50 years ago

July 12, 1974

A hot air balloon floated over Hungry Horse and was a delight to many folks. It was believed to be the only hot air balloon in Montana at the time and was owned by Roger Franklin of Whitefish.

40 years ago

July 12, 1984

Hugh Foley of Martin City ran with the Olympic torch through Seattle and was on the front page of the Seattle Times. Foley previously was a gold medalist in rowing. The torch was being carried down the coast to Los Angeles, where the Olympics were held that year.

30 years ago

July 14, 1994

Vera Trohanov was nearly killed after she fell off Great Northern Mountain and tumbled about 10 feet near the summit, then slid 50 feet down a snowfield and had a boulder that also tumbled hit her head. She spent the night on the mountain and was then airlifted off the next morning.

20 years ago

July 8, 2004

The Moose Fire, which burned up the North Fork in 2001, was still smoldering. 

A coal seam near the North Fork of the Flathead was smoldering, three years after the blaze was out. The Forest Service closed off a small area of the smolder as people could step in it.

10 years ago

July 9, 2014

There was a construction boom in Columbia Falls with two auto parts stores and Xanterra Parks and Resorts converting the former Pamida store to a laundry and offices. 

All told, the city had about $7.8 million in construction permits over the past year.