Ranger station history recalled

We went to see construction of the new ranger station at Hungry Horse a few weeks ago. We were impressed with the building but turned around at the entrance as directed by signs. This will become headquarters for Glacier View and Hungry Horse Ranger Districts.

Later I found details of the Bureau of Reclamation sale of land and buildings in Hungry Horse to Flathead National Forest. The new structure will replace this administration building.

Line story in the Hungry Horse News Sept. 28, 1956 issue reported Flathead National Forest would acquire 10 acres and 13 buildings from the Bureau of Reclamation. This would include the 150-by-45-foot administration building scheduled to become headquarters for the Coram Ranger District of Flathead National Forest.

Other buildings included a 24-room dormitory, guard office, former concrete testing laboratory, seven residences and garages.

Space in the Hungry Horse Dam powerhouse was remodeled for Hungry Horse Project administrative offices.

The frame office building next to U.S. Highway No. 2 was built in 1946-47 during dam construction days. The office annex building was sold three years earlier and moved to Kalispell, where it became a motel.

Supv. F.J. Neitzling, Flathead National Forest, and E.L. Gochnauer, Hungry Horse Project superintendent, negotiated with General Service Administration for the transaction.

It was noted that the Coram Ranger Station, used year 'round, had been inadequate for some time. The site included a barn and pasture.

Years ago there were three ranger stations — Big Creek, Ford and Moran — located in the North Fork. The area extends to the Canadian border. Coram Ranger Station was between Coram and the area to become Martin City, established during Hungry Horse Dam construction.

There were also nearby Spotted Bear, Condon and Swan Districts in Flathead National Forest with Tally Ranger District out of Whitefish.

The Big Creek Ranger Station had residences occupied year 'round by Forest Service employees and families.

During the 1960's, Big Creek was base for the inter-regional fire crew. The highly skilled hotshots answered forest fire calls throughout the United States.

The ranger station at Spotted Bear still exists. Condon Ranger District combined with Swan Lake Ranger District. Tally Lake Ranger District still has headquarters at Whitefish. Apparently Coram went into Hungry Horse.

Attempts to ascertain dates for the actual consolidation of the three districts into Glacier View, when the office was established in Columbia Falls and later moved to Hungry Horse, were unsuccessful.

Pasture at former Coram Ranger Station has been used by Boy Scout troops for winter camps in recent years.

The present location of Marantette Park in Columbia Falls was first designated to become site for a ranger station due to efforts of late County Commissioner Leon Lenon years ago. It was later declared surplus and listed as a GSA Park when purchased by the City of Columbia Falls.

My interest in the North Fork started as a child when our family would visit Bill Adair at his Polebridge store. Mother would honk the horn when rounding every sharp corner on the narrow road. It was a day trip.

Duties at the Hungry Horse News included advertisements for timber sales and accompanying stories. These would be followed by reports of thousands of dollars distributed to schools from timber sale proceeds.

There were also many family camping weekends in our 8 x10 wall tent at both Upper and Lower Big Creek campgrounds. Memories include old cabins at the coal mine location, oil drilling rig remains near the border, big fish at Red Meadow Lake, horned coral, worm and other fossils and Thoma Creek, rock deposits with sulfur odors above Hornet Creek and seeing our first pink snow.

The gravel road was very well maintained through joint venture by loggers and Flathead County. There were few cabins and no million dollar log homes in those days.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.