Historic Sites & Projects
Step into history with our collection of remarkable sites, each with its own unique story to tell. From the Snyder Guard Station a beautifully restored complex nestled by the Moyie, to the charming West Fork Cabin and the stunning Black Mountain Lookout, our historic projects highlight the rich heritage of the area. Explore the remnants of Boulder City, the rustic Ruby Cabin and the vibrant Pearl Theater. Join us on this journey through time and experience the legacy of these captivating sites!
01
Snyder Guard Station
Historic Snyder Guard Station is a complex of seven buildings. It lies in a partially wooded setting next to the Moyie River. The Station was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The buildings include the oldest National Forest Service residence in Region 1, two log cabins, a cookhouse, an office/warehouse, an animal shelter, machine shed and a garage. Remnants of an old cable river trolley support remain; a replica cart helps interpret the structure. All buildings were built before 1936. The site was established in 1908 and used as a Ranger Station until 1937. It continued as a Work Center until the 1980’s. The buildings fell into disrepair. Beginning in the 1990’s, Forest Service staff and years of volunteer help worked to create and reveal this 1930’s passage in time.
Open Houses are free and open to the public. Visitors enter a time before GPS, screens and fast food. We follow the steps of our grandfathers and great grandfathers to where they shoed mules and horses, loaded packs for fire lookouts, and lived looking forward to Saturday nights barn dances, and the cook’s biscuits. Slow down, sit by the river, or visit with other time travelers.
Work projects include: fence repair, interpretive displays, and seasonal flower planting.
02
West Fork Cabin
West Fork cabin was built in the 1930’s as a smoke chaser cabin. It served as a home-away-from home for trail crews, fire crews, snow surveyors, and wildlife crews. It was always open to the public and became a popular recreation destination in the 1960’s. It was on the National Register of Historic Places. The cabin burned to the ground in June of 1998. Local and national volunteers, representing all walks of life, joined forces to re-build this much-loved cabin. It is an exact replica of the original cabin, with the addition of a block foundation. It represents early days of the Forest Service, and is an example of what many different people can do when they work together. The cabin sits in a meadow located in a Natural Research area north of Bonners Ferry.
The work project will include cabin and stove cleaning, trash pick-up and carry-out, wall oiling, and general maintenance.
03
Black Mountain Lookout
Black Mountain Lookout perches high in the Cabinet Mountains providing a spectacular view of the Kootenai Valley and the surrounding mountains. The tower was originally assembled on Faset Peak as a “kit” and later disassembled and moved to Black Mountain. Over time, communication towers and electronic equipment surrounded the tower. The Forest Service again disassembled and reassembled the tower on a site approximately ½ mile down the road from the communications equipment. The tower is complete, offers incredible views, and is awaiting inclusion in the Forest Service recreation rental program.
Project work will include building and installing a pit-type toilet. It will imitate the historic outhouse. Additional site clean-up will be included.
04
Boulder City
This is a site of extraordinary human endeavor and legend. There were both heroes and villains. In the mid to late 1800’s thousands of miners raced to the Northwest. In 1923, Boulder City was the site of the Idaho Gold and Ruby Mining Company. Neither gold nor rubies existed. Yet the town boasted a post office, bank, school house, bachelor’s quarters, a saw mill and more. Two liquor licenses were issued. The main fork of Boulder Creek was dammed and large-scale hydraulic mining took place. The placer scar remains today.
Project work will be to aid the Forest Service in interpreting remnants of the city. It may include fence construction and plantings.
05
Ruby Cabin
Ruby cabin was the first cabin used for fire detection in Boundary County. It has survived several on-site fire towers. In addition to fire detection, it was used by hunters and trappers for shelter. It overlooks Spruce Lake and mountains in the Northwest Peak Scenic Area.
Project work will be to secure the existing outhouse to the mountain side.
06
The Pearl Theater
The Pearl Theater is housed in what was the original St. Ann’s Catholic church. It was constructed in 1894 and renovated in 1914. It served as the community Catholic church until 1963 when the congregation grew and a new church was established. It serves now as a community and a performance center.
No project work is planned for this year.
Past projects include back door entry construction.
