100 YEARS AGO

July 1, 1920

With all the difficulties some travel is going thru the canyon, and so Wallowa County people object to a sign placed at Elgin announcing that it is closed, and to reports given out in La Grande to the same effect.

H. Best has found it so difficult to get help that he has concluded to dispose of his herd of dairy cows and to get out of the business. He has a large ranch near the Lewis post office, with new barns and milking machine equipment and has been dairying on an extensive scale.

About 40 ladies met at the beautiful home of Mrs. G. W. Franklin for the country club meeting. Victrola music and an ingenious guessing game of advertisements were features which the hostess provided instead of needlework. A constitution and bylaws were adopted.

There is no novelty in Enterprise like having the down town alleys cleared of rubbish, and made smooth and free from mud. Everybody is delighted.

50 YEARS AGO

July 2, 1970

The Chief Joseph Summer Seminar will get under way at the Buhler ranch south of Joseph next Monday. The director this year is Mr. Chuck Ackley.

Three youths got an unexpected swim in the Wallowa river when their car slid off the highway between the Willett and Gorbett places just east of Wallowa. The youths had no trouble making their way to shore, but the car continued to float downstream nearly a quarter of a mile before becoming lodged in the stream bed.

Social security benefits paid to residents of Wallowa County totaled $92,000 a month as 1969 ended. More than one of every six people living in the county receives a payment each month.

Eleven adventurous people headed out from Hells Canyon Dam on a three day, 100 mile trip to Lewiston via the Snake River. Such hazards as the almost inaccessible Wild Sheep and Granite Creek rapids had to be run by their awkward looking boat before they safely touched the solid footing of a Lewiston dock. All made it safely with memories that will last a lifetimae.

25 years ago

June 29, 1995

As Rogge Wood Products in Wallowa prepared to quit business last month, Idaho Northern and Pacific Railroad redoubled its effort to abandon the line it operates between Elgin and Joseph.

The annual Wallowa Old-Time 4th of July celebration — which is now called Americanism Days because of the fluctuating date — will feature a breakfast, kids carnival, parade and family street dance on July 1.

Jack and Phyllis Coleman will be honored on July 1 as grand marshals of Wallowa’s annual old-time American Days parade.

An Israeli pilot will be flying loops, spins, and other aerobatic maneuvers before the big fireworks display at the north shore of Wallowa Lake. The aerial show is being presented to the community as a courtesy of Joseph Timber Company.