Wait a minute. Was this 2015? Or was it, somehow . . . . 1915?
It seemed like it might be 1915, as organizers of Boundary County's Centennial celebration faithfully recreated the original celebration of 100 years ago, when residents of two-day-old Boundary County, Idaho, lauded the newly minted northernmost county in Idaho.
Clowns, an elementary school choir, and a steed
equipped with a “Boundary” banner were all in
attendance to help re-enact the original January
25, 1915 celebration. Cal Russell played the
role of Major Wayne Scott Walker, and acted as
master of ceremonies (2015) as he explained to
the gathered crowd on Bonners Ferry's Main
Street that 100 years prior, Idaho Governor
Moses Alexander signed House Bill No. 1,
splitting off the northern part of Bonner
County, and granting residents of that northern
wing their very own county. Those in attendance
joined in a cheer shouting, “Boundary! Boundary!
Boundary!”A small choir of elementary students, led by director David Carpenter, sang the 1915 song “A Long Way from Bonners Ferry. Some of the words from that 1915 song:
It's a long, long way down to Sandpoint,
It's a long, long way to go;
When winter winds are blowing,
And trains are blocked with snow;
Alexander is our champion,
And our hearts are with him still;
Many thanks we give him for signing,
Our Boundary County Bill.
Following this Boundary County song, the students performed a heartfelt rendition of “Here We Have Idaho.” The Main Street crowd joined in on the performance of our state song.
Boundary County Commissioners LeAlan Pinkerton and Walt Kirby then read an abridged version of the original Idaho House Bill No. 1, followed by Commissioner Dan Dinning declaring January 24, 2015 as the initiation of Boundary County’s centennial year. Everyone in attendance posed for a quick photograph, before scurrying into the museum just as the rain started to fall.
Inside the museum, revelers were welcome to wander around the historical exhibits, enjoy the sounds of the Bonners Ferry High School Jazz Band, and sample some centennial birthday cake, along with hot chocolate and coffee--and appreciate yet again our 100 year old Boundary County.
Click here to see our album of photographs from Saturday's Centennial celebration.
On a related note, the Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce has announced that they are having special silver coins commemorating the Centennial of Boundary County struck by the Sunshine Mine. These coins are available for purchase. See the related story on the special silver Boundary County commemorative coins by clicking here.