Hungry Horse news., 1955-06-17
Hungry Horse News
Your Problems, Too

Many new residents of Columbia Falls are finding
themselves living in city this small for the first time
The aluminium plant especially is bringing in a
number of new technicans from such cities as Spo-
kane, Great Falls, Longview, an outstanding town
planned and then built, and others.
Many of the problems in Columbia Falls stem from
the fact that this community likely was larger in 1895
than it in 1885 The city would be much more at
tracve it could have been started in the automobile
instead of the horse and buggy days.
However, Spokane, Great Falls and Kalispel for
that matter started in about the era, but
they grew and prospered NIGHTLY and Columbia Falls
slipped back
In 1890 the Columbia Falls population by U. S.
sus was 637 and then in 1910, the showed the
identical figure of 637 The 1850 census following Hun
cry Horse Dam construction and the revived lumber
industry showed 1882 and now with better lumber
mills and the Anaconda Aluminium Co. plant there
are 1000
Many of the features in Columbia Falls that we
do not like are rooted in the fact that the town had
stagnant decreasing population for years Lots that
today selling for $500 about Is years ago found no
takers tax deed property at $O Who wanted to pay
taxes them? That was IS years ago. Today, those
lots may dip from $780, but they won't drop. There's
demand.
One can certainly point out why Columbia Falls
lacks improved Streets sidewalks, curbs sewers and
has its share of shoddy, old buildings
At the same time factors are here that will make
a fine attractive community.
Let's list few: Cd around payrolls. ~ fav-
orabe climate 80 fine scenic setting for city with
trout streams 10 minutes away.
Of the manInade features in Columbia Falls, the
schools unusually good for this size community.
Churches making excellent growth In 1915 there
just resident pastor, and two or three groups
holding services
We may be critical of the housing situation, but
there has been active home building, and it will con-
tinue.
1t is easy to list some of the developments Col
umbia Falls needs
We do not know of another city of 1900 people
that has high school three blocks away from the
business district with the youngsters using the street
for lack of sidewalks.
There has been improvement to the water system,
but there is thought that eaky old wooden pipes just
won't stand the facility of pumps providing 40
pounds pressure. There still complaints of insult
ficent water pressure.
This spring also saw improvement of the dump
ground to likely the best in the county-no good en-
Ough but much better than it was.
The city is favored by the finest drainage in the
Flathead for streets, and when it comes to Streets
most of the residential district is still in the dust and
pot holes.
For sewers there are two short Ines and debate is
still the topic of whether cesspools or septic tanks
are better That's not looking ahead
The whole responsibility of Improvement in this
city is beyond what we should expect of mayor and
six councilmen who finally going to get paid.
They've been serving without dime, and now the
mayor will get $50 month and the councilmen $l2 a
meeting, not exceeding $24 month.
We wonder if municipal engineering firm should
be employed as consultants to the mayor and council
to work out some of the problems and give Columbia
Falls a master plan for civic improvements
We want this town to grow, prosper and become
more attractive with shaded hard surfaced streets
nice lawns and spruced-up business district devoid
of weed lots.
Many new residents of the community here
with the idea of finding such civic grooming they
knew in larger cities
To achieve such detectives in Columbia Falls, i
would be good idea if the residents of this whole
town would take part
We don't know if better government league is thu
answer or not We do feel that Columbia Falls need
added enthusiasm and spark Become interested il
what you think this town needs. Nj