Looking Back for March 15
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler.
50 Years Ago
March 15, 1973
An open house featuring the first public showing of the new Colonial Manors Nursing Home on East Seventh Street was held. Jack Zerr served as Master of Ceremonies at the opening ceremony and the ceremonial ribbon was cut by Roland Newton, Vice President of the First National Bank. Whitefish Mayor Harold Murphy extended a welcome after an invocation was delivered by a local clergyman. Colonial Manor of Whitefish had a 60-bed capacity with some private and some double rooms.
40 Years Ago
March 17, 1983
Interest rates declined from a high of about 18% down to somewhere between 11 and 13.25%. One local financial institution had a sign advertising a 10% mortgage rate. Local contractor Larry Brown thought Whitefish, with its recreational appeal, was especially likely to see a surge in new housing, while Kalispell would have more commercial construction. Real estate agents in the Flathead saw encouraging signs in sales although business was still far from brisk.
30 Years Ago
March 18, 1993
The Whitefish City Council voted unanimously to act as a go-between for three local groups interested in purchasing land from Burlington Northern for a new library, performing arts center and municipal swimming pool. The council directed City Manager Dale Ennor to prepare an offer to BN. The three companies had been working together since 1986 to get a community center built in Whitefish, said John Kramer, who served on the library’s building committee.
20 Years Ago
March 13, 2003
Five neighborhoods that were annexed into Whitefish in December 2002 were no longer in the city limits. A lawyer for the annexation opponents filed a notice of appeal with the state Supreme Court. That notice canceled the annexation that was granted by District Court Judge Ted O. Lympus. While the areas were part of the city, Whitefish’s population increased 10%, jumping from about 6,000 to 6,600, according to City Manager Gary Marks. “We ceased providing services Monday morning,” Marks said. “We plowed the snow through the weekend. But they’re out.”
10 Years Ago
March 13, 2013
The Whitefish City Council voted to approve a new zoning text amendment to improve its ability to crack down on illegal short-term vacation rentals. With a 4-1 vote, council agreed to amend zoning regulations to include a section regarding short-term rental properties. The amendment created a list of standards, clarified regulations and addressed safety and enforcement issues. In 2009, the city found as many as 100 illegal units.