Yesterdays: Belton Bridge pressed into service as entrance to Glacier Park
Traffic goes over the rebuilt Belton Bridge in West Glacier after the Flood of '64. This photo was taken June 28, 1964. The flood completely destroyed the deck of the bridge, but left the arch. It became the new entrance to Glacier National Park until the destroyed bridge in West Glacier townsite could be rebuilt. (Mel Ruder photo)
70 years ago
June 18, 1954
A new nature trail at Swiftcurrent Lake in Glacier National Park was now open. The self-guided 1-mile hike featured 28 stakes that people could stop at and read about aspects of the park at each stop from a provided booklet.
60 years ago
June 19, 1964
Rebuilding after the flood of ‘64 was underway. One major reconstruction was the Great Northern Railway Line along the Middle Fork of the Flathead. Editor Mel Ruder said he was able to drive to Essex on Highway 2 without too many problems. The arch of the old Belton Bridge withstood the flood at West Glacier and there were plans to put a new deck on it as it would serve as a main entrance to the park until the bridge in West Glacier, which was heavily damaged, could be replaced.
50 years ago
June 21, 1974
The Hungry Horse Dam and the lack of rain was credited for saving the Flathead from major flooding. There was record snow in the mountains and it had been warm. Rivers reached flood stage, but there was no major flooding. Front page photo featured a massive Big Drift towering over the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which was open to vehicles.
40 years ago
June 21, 1984
All the trusses of the new Forest Service building on Railroad Street in Columbia Falls collapsed, taking two walls with it. Contractors blamed the wind, but residents said there was just a light breeze when the trusses took a tumble. The building was under construction. The building is Pursuit’s local offices today.
30 years ago
June 23, 1984
A new law would ban open burning in the Columbia Falls city limits, though fires like the homecoming bonfire would be permitted if sponsored by the fire department. Air quality was the biggest concern.
20 years ago
June 24, 2004
The second of two murals was painted on the Masonic Temple by artist Maria Vekkos. The mural depicted early Columbia Falls history and is the one seen today on the front of the building. It cost $3,500.
10 years ago
June 18, 2014
The conversion of a closed Pamida store to Xanterra Park and Resorts local headquarters was giving Columbia Falls a shot in the arm. The store was converted to a warehouse and laundry for the company, which had the major concessions contract to run the lodges and the red buses in Glacier National Park.