105 YEARS AGO • AUGUST 11, 1916

HOYT AND PETERSON BLOCK NEARLY COMPLETED

H.A. Burke of Missoula, who has the contract for the plumbing and installation of the heating plant in the Hoyt and Peterson new brick block, spent the first of the week here looking after the work. He reports that work on the plumbing is now completed but it will take some three weeks longer to finish equipping the heating plant.

W.A. Darling of the Power City Jewelry company moved his stock from the old location in the Herriott building into the east side of the store room facing on Railroad Avenue, while Dr. H.A. Miller of the Miller Drug company has moved his stock from the Herriott building into the west side of the same room in the Hoyt and Peterson block.

Hoyt and Peterson have furnished the corner store room with an elegant set of bar fixtures, purchased in Spokane from one of the largest places in that city when Washington went dry. These fixtures were used only about a year and originally cost $3,500. Their place will be open for business in a few days.

The new meat market and cafe to be conducted by Bert Macho, former head chef at the T.F. Power Company’s camp, will be ready for business sometime next week. This market and restaurant has been equipped with the very latest model refrigerator plant and both places of business will be furnished strictly up to date. All floors in the building are hardwood maple, plumbing and heating plant of the best that money can buy and viewed from either the exterior or interior. The building is not only a credit to this town and one of which its citizens may justly feel proud, but would be a credit to a city the size of Spokane or Seattle. Hoyt and Peterson are to be complimented and commended for their public spiritedness and faith in the present and ultimate prosperity of Thompson Falls. This building now houses Doug’s True Value. The Herriott building is now the concrete block part of the First Baptist Church.

40 YEARS AGO • AUGUST 13, 1981

HUCKLEBERRY FESTIVAL TO OPEN SATURDAY

By Pat Sullivan

Huckleberries have colored fingers purple in the Trout Creek area for decades, but this berry season will be the first for the community as the official Huckleberry Capital of Montana.

The third annual Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek will feature family-oriented events ranging from a pancake breakfast (huckleberry pancakes, of course), skydiving exhibitions, kayak and canoe races and a softball tourney.

The events begin Saturday with a pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the Trout Creek School. The breakfast is sponsored by the Parent Teacher Organization and will be held at the same time and place again Sunday.

A Run-for-Fun, both six and three miles, will follow at 9 a.m. Saturday, with a spectacular parade set for 11 a.m. to noon. Montana Governor Ted Schwinden will be the grand marshal of the parade, as he helps to celebrate in the Huckleberry Capital.

Saturday afternoon will be the busiest time at the festival, which will involve the entire community. Arts and crafts tables will be arranged near the Trout Creek Motel, with artists displaying a variety of photographs, wood carvings, paintings and other creative items.

Pony rides are being sponsored by the Country Bumpkins 4-H Club, while the Noxon High School cheerleaders will pull the switch on a water dunking booth. A beer stand will be operated by the local fire district, with music in the festival area provided by Chris Hardy.

A softball tournament and a horseshoe throwing competition will also be underway Saturday afternoon, along with a Bingo booth operated by the Senior Citizens and kayak rides offered by Richmond Pease. A canoe and kayak race will be conducted at 1 p.m., while the Trout Creek Improvement Association will sponsor a beef and pork barbeque at 3 p.m. costing $4.50 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Sunday morning a non-denominational church service will be held at 10 a.m. with a scholarship award, the Junior Miss Huckleberry and Personality of the year awards to be given out at 1 p.m.

The arts and crafts booths, sponsored y the Wilderness Arts Council, will operate along with the various concession stands until around 3 p.m.