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O’Fallon Flashbacks

Copyright 1975 O'Fallon Historical Society, Baker, Montana. ALL RIGHTS RESEVED

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BAKER SCHOOLS

The small white building recently removed from directly north of the Quenzer Ford garage was the first school building in Baker. It was located on the north shore of the lake approximately opposite the present Washington School. School opened in the fall of 1908 with Miss Olive Lucier as teacher. From this very small beginning the present multiple-building school system began to grow. The following year, a successful bond issue resulted in a larger building being constructed on Montana Avenue. This later became the American Lutheran Church and presently is a private dwelling. Additional space for the primary grades was found in the basement of the Congregational Church which had been built nearby. In 1911, some high school subjects were added to the curriculum.

In 1913, a $14,000 bond issue was passed, and the east half of the old Baker High School was erected. The following year, a 4-year high school course was offered and the first graduating class was in 1916. This same year an addition to the new building was made on the west side. Some elementary classes were taught in the building, but the school on Montana Avenue continued in use until 1927 when the present Washington School was built which housed the first six grades.

An extensive addition to the high school in 1937 provided additional classrooms, improved office facilities, band facilities, shower and locker rooms and a gymnasium. Previous to this, basketball had been played in the American Legion Hall and the southside Community Church building, and plays were presented in the Community Church building and the Lake Theatre.

A few years later - 1950 - a vocational agriculture building was built and equipped on the school grounds and the old music building was converted into a manual training shop.

A new grade school on the south side of town was built in 1953 with an addition of 4 classrooms in 1957 due to an influx of children of oil field families. This school is known as the Lincoln School.

The need for a new high school increased with the growth of oil activity in Fallon County. A fine, modern, well equipped building located on Center Avenue was ready for occupancy in the fall of 1960. This building also accommodated the seventh and eighth graders.

The old high school building was then used for fifth and sixth grades, but on Saturday, February 18, 1967, fire raged through this historic landmark, gutting the wooden interior and leaving only the brick walls standing. The old bell which had fallen in the fire was retrieved, and now resides in a place of honor in front of the new high school and is rung when the Spartans win a home game.

The rubble was cleared and on this same location a fine modern school housing the fifth and sixth grades, library, cafeteria and a gym was constructed. Named the Longfellow School, it was occupied in the fall of 1968. Just the year before, an addition had been made to the new high school which provided space for vocational agriculture and manual arts, a large library, better art facilities, an audio-visual room and several more classrooms.

The latest expansion of the high school is a community recreational facility for Baker and Fallon County, approved by the voters in 1982 and presently under construction. It will provide community swimming, educational swimming, community recreation (roller skating, square dancing, racquetball and dances) and expanded physical education facilities for wrestling, gymnastics, racquetball and archery.

Superintendents who served the Baker public school system in the early years were Carrie Bachtel, D. L. White and Clarence Phillips. Others since 1921 are Alden E. Landis (1921-1924), Arthur 0. Gullidge (1924-1945), Leon W. Heftie (1945-1961), Frank Lewis (1961-1964), James Hoffman (1964-1970), Delbert M. Hartwick (1970-1973), Harry Erickson (1973-1980), and the present superintendent, James L. Stanton.

As the school population grew, there was a need for high school and elementary principals. Two principals have served Baker High School. L. Fredric Bruggeman started in the system as a teacher in 1935, became principal in 1944 and retired in 1976. Thomas F. McGonigal started as a teacher in 1950 and became principal in 1976. Gordon Vanderpan became elementary principal in 1964 and continues in that capacity. In 1976, Julie LaCross became Middle School principal.

Evelyn B. Hitch served as clerk of the school board from 1924 to 1956. She was followed by Dale Olson, 1956-1968 and the present clerk, Carol Bechtold, was appointed in 1969.

The fact that the school system continues to grow attests to the place it holds in the community tual, physical and artistic growth.

It is interesting to note that three Baker High School graduates have later become mayor of the City of Baker. They are: Ervin Keirle, class of 1935; Ronald Shepherd, class of 1950; and Frederick Williams, class of 1930.

HOSPITALS &DOCTORS
Baker area medical care began in 1909 with the arrival of a physician, Dr. Young, and a dentist, Dr. Potterton, and the establishment of the Elizabeth Hospital in 1910. Later, under Dr. Sherrill, the Lang House became a hospital, and when Dr. Blakemore arrived, he practiced in the Hildreth House on First Street East. After that, Dr. Tarbox arrived and set up his practice in off ices upstairs in the old Bank of Baker building.
Dr. Clayton Hogeboom joined the medical community in 1936, establishing his offices with Dr. Blakemore downstairs in the Bank of Baker building. When Dr. Tarbox moved to Forsyth, Dr. S. A. Weeks took over his offices and practice in 1941. Dr. R. T. Joyce began his dental practice in 1928, at first in partnership with Dr. Potterton, and later on his own. Dr. Potterton retired and left Baker in 1937, but Dr. Joyce continued until his retirement in 1968.
The 1950s saw numerous charges in medical care. Dan Helgeson instigated and chaired a drive for a new hospital facility. With community support, donations and county and federal funds, Fallon Memorial opened its doors in March, 1953, under the management of Lutheran Homes. Phyllis Mitchel, R.N., was its first administrator. Lutheran Homes dropped its management in June, 1956. Again, the community came to its aid, and in October, 1956, Fallon County Hospital Association was incorporated. To help that year, a Ford Foundation Grant of $10,000 was received to help replace and update equipment. Mrs. Inez Krokker was appointed its first administrator, and a governing board of 12 community members was set up. Dr. Robert A. Weeks arrived in 1959 to begin practice with his father.
Margaret Jensen, R. N., was named administrator in March, 1961, and under her auspices, Fallon Memorial Nursing Home and Extended Care Facility opened in 1966. Dr. Black also joined the community that year, and in 1967, Dr. Terhune set up practice for a short time. Drs. Sam and Robert Weeks built the Weeks Clinic across the street from the hospital in the early 1960s and Dr. Hogeboom also set up his practice there. The late 1960s saw the retirement of Dr. Sam Weeks and Dr. R. T. Joyce, dentist.
In early 1969, a drive was begun to establish a coronary care and intensive care unit. Again, with assistance from the county and much community support, the unit was opened in March, 1971, giving us an exceptionally fine institution for our area.
1975 saw Dr. Robert Weeks move from Baker and the death of Dr. Hogeboom after 39 years of practice here. The county purchased the clinic and Dr. Hiner established his practice there. When he moved in 1977, Clyde Burns purchased the clinic, renamed it O'Fallon Clinic, and it has remained under this management since then. Dr. Obye began his practice there in May, 1977, to be joined at one time or another by Dr. Tillo, Dr. Zugaza, Dr. Musser, Dr. Tsang, Dr. Sing Uy and Dr. Alex Uy.
Also adding to the community health care during the 1970s has been the establishment of a county health department with a full-time registered nurse, Sandy Kinsey, and weekly visits by counselors from the Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health Center in Miles City. Drs. Gary and Colleen Lucachick, dentists, came to Baker about two years ago and are presently providing dental care on a full-time basis.

 

BAKER

CHURCHES
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH
AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
BAKER COMMUNITY CHURCH
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
LAKEVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH
BAKER WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH
BAKER ASSEMBLY OF GOD
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH

The church of St. John, the Evangelist, was built in 1911 by the church members of the community of Baker. Father J. B. Moskopp was the first pastor, and lived at St. Anthony's, Plevna. He took care of churches at Baker, Ekalaka, Belltower, Mill Iron, Mildred, Terry and Fallon. Previously this area was served from Miles City by Father J. J. O'Carroll.
In 1911, Father A. J. Richard became the pastor of St. Anthony's in Plevna and at the same time Father W. P. Fitzgerald became the pastor of St. John's at Baker. From 1931-1949, Father H. D. Ciebattone was pastor of the Catholic Church in Fallon County. He resided in Baker during this time. However, his successor, Father Leo F. Janson, lived in Ekalaka until 1953 when he moved to Baker. Since then, all of the priests have resided here.
In 1959, a beautiful new brick building with a capacity of 300-350 people was built at 210 West Center, with the priest's home attached. The basement in the church and home were finished and made into classrooms for the children of the parish and are also used for meetings. Father John Hanrahan was the priest at that time. A very active program of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes are held every week, conducted by lay people and Sisters Luella and Esther. The Catholic Daughters and Junior Catholic Daughters for girls hold regular meetings and workshops for the purpose of assisting many people in various capacities. The Squires, a youth group for boys, has been organized. In 1976, they built a tennis court west of the church building which is available for anyone's use.
At the present time, Father Thomas Tobin is the resident priest. Masses are celebrated during the week and at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 a.m. on Sunday

AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
The first Lutheran services were held as early as 1910 by pastors from North Dakota in homes of parishioners or in rented halls. In 1916, Lutheran congregations were formally organized in Baker, Willard, Ollie and Carlyle, and the Reverend H. L. Anderson became the first resident pastor.
Twelve years later, the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Baker and the First Lutheran Church of Willard united and became incorporated under its present name, the American Lutheran Church. The first pastor was the Reverend E. E. Tollefson. The same year, they purchased a school building on Montana Avenue from the Baker School District and remodeled it into the church they used until 1959, when on March 1st, a beautiful, spacious brick building located on the corner of Kewanee and Fourth St. West was dedicated. At this time, the Reverend Oliver L. Jones was pastor. Later a parsonage facing the church on the south was built.
At present, there is a membership of 600, two confirmation classes and a large group of Sunday School children. The women are organized into five circles that meet six times a year. Each member is asked to spread his talents ... some visit the hospital, some are Pink Ladies, others take care of the church grounds, call on the sick in their homes, make quilts for missions, serve as Sunday School teachers, contribute to the community cupboard, sponsor displaced persons and help new congregations.
During the thirties, members of the congregation began their food stand at the Fallon County Fair. The first year it was held in a tent using kerosene and gasoline stoves. Each year it has grown in popularity and now there is a very efficient building with a walk-in cooler. The entire congregation participates in this project.
There have been eight pastors since 1928. At present, the congregation is being served by Pastors Bonita and Nelson Bock.

BAKER COMMUNITY CHURCH

Baker Lake Congregational Church, now known as the Baker Community Church, and the town of Baker both began in the same year - 1908. Surprisingly, years before the E.R.A. was heard of, the first minister was a woman, Mrs. F. D. Bohr, whose salary was $200. Services were held Sunday afternoons in a one-room school house on the north shore of the lake. Many years later, Jane Sheffield Meyer, wife of Reverend George E. Meyer, was ordained in the Baker church in 1945.
A church was built in 1910 and was named the Baker Lake Congregational Church. This was the first church building in Baker. The building still stands at the corner of Montana Avenue and S. 2nd E. but is used as a private dwelling now.
In 1924, the Baker Lake Congregational Church combined with the Methodist Episcopal Church to form the Baker Community Church. Services were held in both of the church buildings. Eventually, maintaining two buildings proved to be too great a load, so in 1950, the trustees were able to sell one building with the parsonage, and with that money, they moved the other building on to a new basement on the front of the lot, added 16 feet to the length and modernized the interior. Dedication services were held in the fall of '1951. In 1956, new pews were added.
It was not until the fall of 1977 that an extensive renovation was undertaken under the leadership of Reverend Robert Boutwell. New siding and insulation, colored windows, wall-to-wall carpeting and upholstered pews were installed by members of the congregation, who also gave the building a thorough cleaning and painting. This renovation was dedicated April 23,1978.
The church participates in the Camp Mimanagish program, sending young people to this camp each summer. Church school meets each Thursday during the school year, a daily Vacation Bible School is held and a youth group named CCKs (Community Church Kids) is very active. The church also sponsors the Community Singers, a group of interested singers who meet each Monday at the nursing home at 5 p.m. to sing for the patients. Services are held each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and prayer services on Thursday mornings. The present minister, Reverend Kent Elliott, lives with his family in the parsonage located at 1105 S. 1st St. West.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
As a result of evangelistic meetings conducted by R. 0. Roy of Miles City, assisted by the musical ministry of Reverend K. A. Swanson of Sweden, the First Baptist Church of Baker was formally organized with 17 charter members on March 23,1931.
Services were held in Grainger's Hall with an interim pastor until September, when Reverend V. W. Steele, a graduate of Northwestern Bible School in Minneapolis, became its first full-time pastor.

Lots were purchased and a basement building erected in 1934. Subsequently, the top was added and dedicated on March 24,1948. The education unit was added in 1956. In 1960, the church was remodeled so that it now faces north in-stead of west, has a brick and stucco face, is completely carpeted upstairs and has 10 Sunday School rooms. A new par-sonage was purchased in 1964.
Sunday School and two church services are held each Sunday, with prayer meeting on Thursday. Also, the 11:00 a.m. service is broadcast by KFLN. In addition to regular Sunday School classes, there is a young adult Bible study group. There is also a very active missionary program presently supporting 12 missionaries. The Mission Circle has a mis-sionary cupboard and each month a new item is suggested. All items must be new and unused and any visiting mis-sionary may then choose items he can use. Recently, the church acquired an offset printing outfit which is adaptable to many uses.
The church celebrated its 50th anniversary March 21 and 22,1950, and on this occasion the guest speaker was Dr. Ar-thur Allen, who had served as pastor from February, 1942, until April, 1950.
Reverend Roger G. McCarty became the fourteenth pastor to serve the church, and through the years, 517 peo-ple have had their names entered on the church roll.

LAKEVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH
In the summer of 1955, a survey was made in Baker to find persons interested in beginning a Southern Baptist Mis-sion. On July 17, a group met to begin worship services and Sunday School. James Carr, a summer missionary, served as mission pastor. Two months later, the mission was constituted into Baker Southern Baptist Church with 22 charter members. The congregation grew rapidly those first months due mostly to the influx of people to the Baker area that were associated with the oil boom.
Lots were purchased, looking forward to a building. The new church building became a reality in May, 1958. The congregation moved from a rented building on S. 1st St. West to its present location on the corner of Fallon Avenue and South 2nd Street East. At that time the name was changed to Lakeview Baptist Church.
Lakeview Baptist Church is part of Big Sky Association, Northern Plains Baptist State Convention and the 13 million member Southern Baptist Convention.
Reverend Bob Delcamp, the present pastor, is the sixth pastor to serve the congregation.

 

 

BAKER WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH

"The Country Church That Moved To Town" is the phrase applied to the Baker Wesleyan Methodist Church. About the close of World War 1, Rev. L. D. Harris, pastor of the Medicine Rocks Wesleyan Methodist Church began Sunday afternoon services in the Willard school, 13 miles south of Baker. During haying time in 1922, Rev. Harris secured the assistance of Rev. J. F. Simpson in conducting evangelistic meetings in the Willard Community Hall. From this beginning, a Wesleyan congregation was formed at Willard.

After meeting for about five years longer in the Willard school and hall, the place of worship was changed to the Myhre school, 14 miles southeast of Baker. This was in the area on Little Beaver Creek known as "Minnesota Valley." In 1929, the group built the present building on a hilltop overlooking the valley where for 10 years it was known as the Minnesota Valley Wesleyan Methodist Church.

In 1939, following the movement of Montana homesteaders to "the city," the church building was moved to its present location in Baker. Pastor Wilbur Moulton presides.

BAKER ASSEMBLY OF GOD

The first services of the Baker Assembly of God Church were held in Grainger's Hall (no longer used) in June, 1956, with the Reverend R. L. Fischer as pastor. Soon after, the congregation bought the English Congregational Church in Plevna, moved it to Baker, and placed it on a foundation on lots south of the old library (now the Boy Scout center) where it was first used in September of the same year. At this time, the Women's Missionary Council was organized.

It was during the Reverend Thomas Johnston's ministry that the new church was built on the corner of 8th Street E. and Colorado Avenue. The first service held in this new building was in April, 1969. The Reverend Alan Warneke succeeded him that same year, and during his ministry a new parsonage was built across the street from the church. Several lots adjacent to the church parsonage and the church were also purchased, looking toward the time when future growth would be necessary. The present pastor is the Reverend Larry Elder.

The Baker Assembly of God is making a good effort to minister to each individual of the family and to the entire family as a whole. Thursday night is family night with special meetings for 10 different age groups. There is also Sunday School for all age groups including adult classes, FOCAS (Fellowship of Christian Adult Singles) and both Sunday morning (10:50 a.m.) and evening (6:30 p.m.) worship services. Each ministry is especially geared for the age of the individuals and the special needs of the group

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

The Jehovah's Witnesses were organized as a congregation in Baker in January, 1958. For 18 years, services were held in a specially partitioned-off area of the basement at the Harold Brown residence. A new building located on 4th Street West was built in 1975. The building is called Kingdom Hall because it is from this location that the good news of the Kingdom is proclaimed to the people. It will seat approximately 80 persons. Anyone is welcome to the meetings, and no collection is taken. These meetings, which are conducted by the Elders and based on the publications "Let Your Kingdom Come" and "Our Kingdom Ministry" are held Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

 

THE PRESS AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

During the pioneer years when homesteaders filed on government land, little newspapers were established in almost all the small post office towns to cash in on the final proof advertisements which were easy picking for some fly-by-night printers. Fallon County had its share - among them were "The Ollie Enterprise," "Beaver Valley Press," and "Fallon County Press" of Westmore.

1909 - "Baker Sentinel" founded by George J. Buergi.

1910 - Atty. L. A. Conser purchased "The Baker Sentinel" and was editor and publisher.

1919 - Closed for lack of help and poor financial condition.

1920 - A number of Republicans took over the paper with Frank Mains, manager.

1914 - "The Fallonite" was started by Fagaines & Fagaines.

1915 - The paper was bought by Butte Tipton, who changed the name to "Fallon County Times."

1917 - September of this year, the paper was bought by Karl R. Pleissner Co.

1925 - "The Plevna Herald" founded by George Buergi in 1912 was bought by Karl R. Pleissner Co., closed down and consolidated with the "Fallon County Times."

1928 - "The Baker Sentinel" was bought by Karl R. Pleissner Co., and consolidated with the "Fallon County Times."

1952 - "The Fallon County Times" was sold to Lathrop and Beringer, after 35 years of service by Mary and Karl Pleissner.

1957 - Mr. Lathrop died and his wife, Margaret, continued as editor.

November 1, 1969, Jim and Alice Anderson and Earl Anderson purchased the Times. Jim had worked for Lathrop and Earl was a newspaper man in Stephen, Minnesota. Jim bought Earl out in 1971.

The change from letterpress to offset occurred on October 1, 1970, and the paper was taken to Miles City to print until December, 1972, when Jim purchased his own press.

Other communications in Baker and Fallon County are: The Billings Gazette, with paper boys delivering it daily; KFLN Baker Radio Station, with 5000 watts, 960 on the dial, daytime programming.

New in Baker is the Baker Cable TV with Tom Overton, owner and operator. He put Cable TV in operation in 1978 and Baker now has 9 channels.

 

 

BAKER RADIO STATION

In 1964, a group of businessmen in Baker began to work together in order to start a radio station for this area. This group consisted of: Russell Culver, Eugene Russell, Eldon Mengel, Joe Herbst, Ed Susa, Gene Huntley, Melvin Rogstad and George Ranclash.

"Empire Broadcasting Company" was the result of a concerted effort by these men, and today, a 5000 watt daytime station "KFLN" 960 on your dial, broadcasts complete news, weather and sports to our surrounding area.

Russell Newell is today's station manager, with fifteen employees working to cover eastern Montana and western North and South Dakota, and Wyoming. "KFLN SERVES."

 

 

 

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

AMERICAN LEGION POST 35 - 1st Monday, 8 p.m.

BETA SIGMA PHI - Every other Monday, 8 p.m.

BAKER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - 1st Thursday, 12 noon

BAKER COUNTRY GOLF CLUB - Semi-annual meetings

BAKER HANGAR CLUB - 4th Monday, 8 p.m.

BAKER JAYCEES - 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 8 p.m.

BAKER LIONS CLUB - 2nd and 4th Monday, 6:30 p.m.

BAKER COWBELLES BAKER WOMAN'S CLUB - 2nd Tuesday, 8 p.m.

FALLON CREEK COWBELLES - 4th Monday, Plevna Fire Hall

FALLON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY HOSPITAL HELPERS AUXILIARY JAYCEENS - 3rd Thursday, 8 p.m. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS - 4th Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. MASONS - 1st and 3rd Wednesday, Temple, 7:30 p.m. TRI-STATE AREA THEATRE

 

 

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

 

AMERICAN LEGION AND AUXILIARY

Fallon Post No. 35 of the American Legion was organized in the fall of 1919 after the return of servicemen from World War 1. The first meeting was held on Armistice Day, with Ed Hanson elected as first commander.

Their first building was south of the present Westside Hotel on the corner of Highway 12. It was used by the Athletic Club, sponsoring wrestling matches and fight bouts, as well as minstrel shows and a Legion quartet.

In 1928, the present hall was purchased from George Hough, who had turned the early theater into a garage. The entire community helped fix up the building into a clubroom and dance hall. It has been the center of community activities ever since.

The Legion has sponsored Boy Scout Troop 329, Legion baseball arid a Boys' State delegate from Baker High School. They meet the first Monday of the month at 8 p.m. in their hall meeting room.

The American Legion Auxiliary is also a very active group in our community. They sponsor a Girls' State delegate from Plevna High School, conduct a Memorial Day poppy sale, entertain patients at VA hospitals, and send many, many gifts to veterans at Christmas time. These ladies have had the honor of having a page at the state convention several times. They also meet the first Monday of the month at 8 p.m.

BETA PI - CHAPTER OF BETA SIGMA PHI

Beta Sigma Phi was founded by Walter W. Ross in Abilene, Kansas, on April 30, 1931, and has grown from seven members to over 250,000 members at the present time. It is an international organization composed of women with cultural, social and service interests.

Beta Pi was formed March 17, in Baker with 10 interested women. This group has been very active, and the members have worked on many benefits, including the March of Dimes Mothers' Walk, the community concerts, Christmas bazaar, and the Americanism Program.

At the present time, Beta Pi has 22 active members who meet twice a month except during the summer months.

 

 

BAKER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1910. It was prominent in the hot and heavy campaign for county seat in 1913, with Ekalaka winning their right to be the county seat. The following year, a new county was formed as Fallon County with Baker as county seat.

This group of loyal citizens promoted and spearheaded many different things to help the community. They promoted a uniformed city band in Baker, and were also in charge of World War I bond sales. They continually worked for better roads and marketing ideas for the merchants.

In 1916, the Chamber issued a pictorial publication "Baker, the City of Opportunity," following a bumper crop in 1915. The 1919 drought partially hurt the immediate development of the little city, but did not hurt the spirit of the citizens.

Today, a new booklet is being designed promoting the city and its stores for the benefit of tourists and newcomers to Baker.

Summertime, particularly the summer of 1982, was busy, with Shakespeare in the Park productions from Montana State University, three weekends of thoroughbred horse racing on the new race track, softball tourneys all summer long, Crazy Days promotion for the merchants, and many club picnics and rodeos to attend. The Fallon County Fair is always a big special occasion, and this year another big name in show business entertained to a full house - Mel Tillis, country western singer.

The Chamber sponsored the Golden Jubilee in 1958, with much success, and it is expected that this Diamond Jubilee will be just as successful.

BAKER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OFFICERS

President ................... Matt Helfrich

Vice-President .........…Dale Boggs

2nd Vice-President ..... Richard Price

Secretary ................… Alice Anderson

Treasurer .....................Cal Lund

Directors ................. ....Gwen Setinc

Marilyn Askin

Bernie Heiser

Walt Steig

Jim Stanton

Mary Stark

 

 

 

GOLF - BAKER COUNTRY CLUB

Golf was first played in Baker in 1929, with the first course laid out from approximately Fourth Street and

Wabasha south to the water tank hill. This course was used about 10 years until around 1956 or 1957 when volunteers

and interested people got together to lay out a course near the present Drive-in Theater, on J. K. Munsell land.

At this point, it was not only the rule of the game, but an absolute necessity to 'keep your eye on the ball' to continue play because there were so many rocks, making the ball bounce in every direction. Interest lagged and the course folded.

Around 1960, Jerry Kasman, then the manager of the telephone company in Baker, and a few golfing buffs, got permission to build some sand greens on state land, a few miles northwest of Baker. The land had been leased to Bob

And Herb O'Donnell for pasture. It was called the Pennel Golf Course, with another case of volunteer work and $10 dues a year.

The whole golf course couldn't be fenced, but each green was finally fenced to keep the cows and their gentleman friends from totally destroying the greens. An electric fence was used on one green with the result that more golfers were shocked than cows. In playing a fenced-in green, one had to crawl through the fence and putt.

During the summer of 1960, a California visitor expressed a desire to play golf, and after dressing properly in a suitable sunsuit with matching hat, with the assumption that a tee off time had been arranged, she drove to the golf course, to be greeted by a herd of cows all over the place. Needless to say, the Californian didn't play golf and even refused to get out of the car.

The gentleman's game of golf seemed to be having a very rough time getting a start in Fallon County. However, interest remained high, and in 1965, Bob O'Donnell made a 9-hole golf course with intent to make it into a private business. Vince Cobb and Craig Paschal drew up the plans.

Many of the men associated with the oil business, as well as our local people, helped to make the layout a good one. At first dues were $25 a year and were gradually increased

Workdays were held to keep the greens in shape and to paint and clean up. With the exception of two years, the mowing was all volunteer work done by paid-up members. Occasionally a high school boy was hired to mow. When the rains were favorable, we had good golfing, but more than half of the years were very dry. Only the hardy ladies kept their interest in golf alive.

The club had their social events and tournaments for both men and woryien. Baker businessmen donated prizes and lent their support. It now appears there will be an end to the sand in our shoes, oil on our clothes, weeds and dust because this year Bob Otto and Joe Herbst bought the course, and the Fallon County recreation program with this money, and money donated from individuals and business, pooled the funds and hired an architect to plan a watered grass course, located south of the airport, which should be in use by 19EA.

to $50. In 1967, Bob O'Donnell sold out to the Baker Golf

THE HANGAR CLUB

Many of the local flyers in Fallon County belong to the Baker Hangar Club, a local unit of the Montana Pilots Association.

The club, working with the Airport Commission, has brought about many improvements to our city-county airport. These include runway lights, tie-down area, visual approach slope lights and a radio homing transmitter. A lighted wind direction indicator was placed at the airport by Mrs. James Nichols as a memorial to her husband.

Airport Commission members include: Vernie Jacobsen, Alan Wang, 'Tom Overton, Helmut Straub and Russell Culver.

Officers of the Hangar Club are: Wally Palm, president; Vic Uttke, vice president; and Jim Anderson, secretarytreasurer. Dinner meetings are held the last Monday of each month.

Baker Airport

 

 

BAKER JAYCEES

Baker Jaycees organized in May, 1952, with J. K. Munsell as the first president.

Activities were many, all for the benefit of other people.

They designed floats for the fair parades, erected a tree at Christmas time at the end of Baker's Main Street, and provided treats for the kids on the annual arrival of Santa Claus. They have sponsored Teen Rodeos, basketball tournaments and Boy Scout Troop 57. The Jaycees have been working on the city park across from the hospital for many years, and one can see the outstanding results of all this work by the number of people who use and enjoy this park.

These young men are active club members, always promoting some project for the good of Baker, The wives of Jaycee members formed their own club, the Jayceens. These ladies in turn promote good will and work for many worthy causes.

BAKER LIONS CLUB

The Lions Club was chartered on August 29, 1946, and was prominent in securing funds and support for the Fallon County Memorial Hospital which made it possible for us to have a hospital. Dan Helgeson is given credit for all the work he did on this.

The club was responsible for the metal street signs and for the numbers on the houses and businesses in Baker. They send a delegate from Baker High School to Boys' State every year, and have many special projects like selling flags for home display, and holding yearly auctions for funds to be used in benefiting people in Baker. The Fallon County Fair parade is promoted by the members of the Lions Club. In 1953, they built the cement swimming pool in Baker, which has been in use all these years.

Charter members are: Dale Brown, Chan Sorenson, John Lawler, John Mellor, Eugene Russell, Bill Olson, Cecil Ashley, Dr. R. T. Joyce, Francis LaCross, L. Price, Lee Moline, George Severson, Dan Fulton, Gerald Ashley, L. F. Bruggeman, Ray Eggen, Emmett Gregerson, Clarence Hand, Conrad Hatton, Maynard Hawks, Leon White, Dan Helgeson, Ervin Keirle, Roy McClain, Fred Morrow, George Randash, W. L. Riddle, Ed Tumquist, Dr. S. A. Weeks, Albert Eckes and Vic Grainer.

The Baker Lions Club has been very active ever since they were chartered, with the sole purpose of their existence to help Baker and its citizens.

THE BAKER COWBELLES

The Baker CowBelles organized on January 7, 1961, with Mary Stark as president, assisted by Helen Stark, Pauline Melcher and Mary Lee Brown. 'Twenty-six ladies belonged to the original group. They organized primarily for purpose of promoting the sale of beef.

These ladies, most of them ranch ladies. have been very active in education promotions and gifts of Montana beef. They gave beef roasts to senior citizens many times, had beef drawings for most holidays, sponsored the high school Beef Cookoffs, gave a show halter for the fat beef exhibit at Fallon County Fair, donated to the Beef Council and to the National American CowBelles for beef promotion, donated to the Montana Chamber of Commerce tourist kits, built floats for the Fallon County Fair, furnished rest rooms for the city park, and sponsored a rodeo queen contest.

This group was able to do so many outstanding things by earning money first. They were able to do this because they served local Baker Livestock Auction lunches every week for seven years, from 1970 to 1977. Not only did they earn money but they were of great service to the auction also.

For several years, the CowBelles designed napkins with their local logo and brands and used them for sale and for gifts. Several members attended district, state and national conventions.

The last two years, Darrell Johnson donated steer calves for the Baker CowBelles to enter in the state Beef Performance contest. In 1982, the Baker CowBelles steer was judged reserve grand champion in the British Breed Division. This was a great financial boost to the club.

 

 

THE FALLON CREEK GOWBELLES

The Fallon Creek CowBelles organized in 1958, with members from various parts of Fallon County, Plevna and Ismay included. They meet in their members' homes and in Plevna during the winter time, with their prime purpose being to promote Montana beef.

Their activities include a variety of promotion and educational efforts. They promote the Beef Cook-off in Plevna High School, put on a senior citizens beef dinner, sponsor drawings for beef, and participate in nationwide Beef Week and Agriculture Week.

They donated to the Montana Beef Council, to the National American CowBelles for beef promotion, entered floats in the Fallon County Fair, and prepared and served a noon meal of beef to 150 people during an FHA district convention.

This group had the honor of having had two of their members as national officers, when Mrs. A. W. Bickle, Sr. was national Cowbelle vice president and Mrs. Wally Palm was national parliamentarian. Mrs. Bickle was also elected to receive the prestigious Sioux City Stockyards Award in 1980.

One of their members, Mrs. Betty Gray, will be state CowBelles president beginning in May, 1983.

The public is better informed about one of Montana's leading industries as a result of the hard work and devotion shown by our local CowBelles group.

BAKER WOMAN'S CLUB

The Baker Woman's Club is the oldest woman's organization in Baker since it was organized in 1912 and became affiliated with the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1915. At one time, there were as many as a hundred members, but other women's organ izations, television, bowling, and numerous other activities have whittled away at the membership until it has been reduced to a mere handful. Several years ago, rather than disband entirely, the few members decided to go into a "holding pattern," and would meet only often enough to carry out three services - namely, provide the money to send a girl to Girls' State and then meet to hear her report; entertain, along with one of the Lutheran Circles, the local senior citizens at a Christmas party; and entertain the senior girls at an afternoon tea in the spring. Hopefully, the time will come when this club will become once again a vital, growing organization taking an active part in the civic and cultural growth of this community.

At present, Julie LaCross is president, Stasia Corey, treasurer, and Gladys Moseley, secretary.

FALLON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

Fallon Memorial Hospital began operation in 1953 and the Hospital Auxiliary was organized shortly after. It consisted of a group of ladies, mostly employees and interested people, motivated by the shortage of furnishings and equipment. These ladies held bake sales, rummage sales, sponsored dances, sold candy, cookbooks, cutlery and collected coupons to raise money for their projects. In those days, they bought pictures, lamps, chairs, lobby furniture and other needed items, as well as drapes, bed linens, towels and wash cloths, pajamas, baby needs and some kitchen equipment.

After the nursing home was added to the hospital, the Auxiliary concentrated on its needs. Over the years they bought tables for the dining room, several wheelchairs, bed linens, including bedspreads, blankets, draw sheets, wash cloths and drapes. They bought hundreds of yards of outing flannel, collected used cotton sheets, towels, etc. from the community and spent many hours making pads for the use of patients.

For the hospital, they bought "Recuss Annie," a slide projector, a Polaroid camera, paid $1,000 on the coronary unit and several thousand on the laundry equipment, $1600 for the Isoletle for the nursery, many items for the kitchen, as well as other hospital equipment. In all, they have donated over $50,000.

Twelve girls were recipients of the nursing scholarship, which was begun in 1967.

Ethel Gustafson is the only one of the original group that is still alive. The members are now in the 60-80 year-old

group, but are very active donating time and money where there is a need in the community. Another group, "Hospital Helpers," have recently been organized to take on the work our members are no longer physically able to do.

 

 

HOSPITAL HELPER'S AUXILIARY

The Hospital Helper's Auxiliary is an organization dedicated to helping and serving the hospital and nursing home. The by-laws were adopted in April of 1981. This group has grown steadily and has contributed much time, effort and money into helping make our hospital and nursing home a nice place to be when arid if the need arises.

This group of ladies has a membership of 40 on the active list and 16 associate members. They wear pink uniforms and work the floor at the hospital and nursing home each day of the week except Sunday, serving coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice and home-baked food to all the hospital patients, visitors, nursing home residents and to the office staff and nurses.

Each resident is furnished with his own birthday cake on his "day," and assistance is given on crafts day, held each week, in addition to assisting on recreational outings several times each month. Decorations are provided for holidays, assistance given in sorting old x-rays, conducting tours during the Health Fair, and in the hospital's current "disaster plan."

A variety of money-making functions include: rummage sales, bake sales, salad luncheons, style show and tea, hospital ball, quilt raffles, a chili-chowder and bingo night, plus our ongoing cookbook sales and cassette sales, done by Mr. L. F. Bruggeman on the piano. The money earned has been used to purchase many things, including a wheelchair attachment that fits a scale so residents can be weighed, pajamas for the pediatrics ward, bibs for all the new babies born, a whirlpool bath, a beam scope for the residents' lobby TV, and a volumetric infusion pump.

All of the ladies who belong to the Hospital Helper's Auxiliary, with the help of the public, cooperate to make the goals they set a reality.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The Mathew Gappa Knights of Columbus Council was organized on June 13,1971. The council was named after the late Mathew H. Gappa, a former member of the Knights of Columbus and St. John's Catholic Church. Father Denis Keane served as the first chaplain and Leo Hopfauf was the first grand knight.

The council started with a membership of 40 men, and at the present time there are 88 members. It works very closely with the pastor of St. John's Church in any category where manpower and financial assistance is needed. The council also assists and helps with many charitable functions in the community. The American Red Cross blood drawings are spearheaded and managed by the Knights of Columbus. It meets the fourth Wednesday of every month in the parish hall.

SANDSTONE LODGE NO. 84

Sandstone Lodge No. 84, A.F. & A.M. was organized in the Pearce Hall in 1912 with Charles Marks as master.

In 1956, the cornerstone for the new fireproof brick temple was dedicated. Besides the use to the Masons, Eastern Stars and Rainbow girls, it has been a help to the school system after the high school fire, Boy Scout meetings, first aid classes, Shell Oil and Butte Pipe Line instruction classes, Square Dance Club affairs, etc.

The pancake and sausage supper is enjoyed by the entire area when it is held the first Saturday in April. The Eastern Star has also begun the tradition of having a noon salad luncheon which is very popular and well received.

The Masons meet the first and third Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

TRI-STATE AREA THEATRE

A new form of entertainment and culture came to this area in 1979 when a group of local people put on the musical "The Unsinkable Molly Brown"' with Delight Stottlemeyer as director-producer.

In 1980 the production "Show Boat" was presented, and in 1981, they put on "Annie, Get Your Gun" which all played to full house crowds. "The King and I" was presented in the fall of 1982.

Tri-State Theatre Inc. was formed as a non-profit organization representing Bowman, Scranton, Rhame, Marmarth in North Dakota and Buffalo and Ladner in South Dakota, and Baker, Plevila and Ekalaka in Montana.

First officers and board of adviers were: President Ivan McGee, Jr., Vice Pres. Bill Rotenberger, Secretary Pattie Perry, Treasurer Rita Andrews, Chairman Delight Stottlemeyer.

Today's officers are: President Bill Rotenberger, Vice Pres. Don Fleggen, Secretary Codie West and Pattie Perry, Treasurer Rita Andrews, Chairman Delight Stottlemeyer. Advisors are Rae Getz, Jerri Obeye, Wayne Susa and Neal Kilner. Staff are Delight Stottlemeyer, Ron Bowman, Pat Palezewski and Fredric Bruggeman.

It all started in Marmarth, N.D., and in the first theatre in this area, "The Mystic Theatre," where local people wanted to revive this nice old theatre.

 

 

 

FALLON COUNTY LIBRARY

The Fallon County Library has grown from a neighborhood book club of 30 volumes, organized by Mrs. A. D. Brewer and Mr. and Mrs. Karl Pleissner in 1922, to a new, modern, attractive library dedicated in 1970 with 15,000 books, 60 titles of periodicals and 200 records serving all of Fallon County. The annual circulation of 23,935 pieces of material includes paperbacks, patterns, periodicals, records, pamphlets and books.

Its path of development went from some shelves in a room of Charles Dousman's law office above the present Lake Theater, to a corner in the first American Legion hall, to a small building owned by the Masonic Lodge located in the vicinity of the present telephone building, to an old school house moved in and placed on a basement on First Street West, and finally to the present building which is a part of the city-county complex. The Baker Woman's Club deserves a good deal of credit for providing incentive, woman power and finances at each step along the way.

The Fallon County Library is a member of the Sagebrush Federation. This provides centralized processing of books, a program of in-service training for all librarians, joint book ordering, inter-library loans, film service and a bookmobile which carries books to outlying areas. The annual circulation of books distributed solely by the bookmobile is 8,350 with stops at Plevna, Stanhope Addition, Baker, Fertile Prairie (winter), Willard, Cabin Creek (summer), and the Myhre ranch (summer).

The local library assists visually handicapped and handicapped persons to secure reading materials made available by the U.S. Government from the Montana State Library. It also has on its bookshelves a number of large-print books. A story hour for 3 to 5 year olds is held weekly during the school year. The usual hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Sunday afternoon opening during the school year.

Bernettie Burns is the present librarian and the county library board is made up of Anastasia Corey, chairperson, Alice Newell, Leona Bechtold, Vic Uttke and John Hecker.

 

 

BAKER AVIATION HISTORY

A daring young man named Monty Rolf was the first airman to fly in the Baker vicinity in 1915. Because of his tender age, 19, he was billed as the Boy Birdman. He is reported to have paid N1500 -for the Curtis machine.

Through the early twenties, a half dozen barnstorming pilots stopped in Baker to carry passengers in their World War I open cockpit biplanes. But, until one of them wrecked his Air King trying to take off from the infield of the fairgrounds race track, Baker never considered the need for an airport.

A local photographer, Elmer Schneider, purchased an American Eagle biplane in 1928, and that fall an airport was built just north of MDU's light plant. Several local young men had their first flying lessons from this dirt strip. Among them were Max Mellor, Bill Spiller, Roy Davis, Firman Loveless and Fred Williams, Baker's current mayor. Vic Grainger, who learned to fly in 1928 at Miles City, frequently was the pilot of Schneider's airplane.

During the Roosevelt administration three runways were constructed at the present airport site just east of the fairgrounds. Today, there are more than 20 aircraft based on the field. The! airport is equipped with runway lights and a rotating beacon for night landings, and a radio beacon to direct cross country pilots to the airport. All aircraft services are available on the field.

Today, multi-engine aircraft and corporate jets land almost daily at Baker, bringing in oil men and cattle buyers. A great many ranchers fly their personal aircraft to Baker on business.

The airport is ably administered by a city-county commission consisting of Alan Wang, Tom Overton, Helmut Straub, Russell Culver and Vernie Jacobson, chairman.

Jack Bethel has operated Bethel Aviation for 27 years. Along with training U.S. Navy fighter pilots and flying for the Atomic Energy Commission in search of uranium deposits, he has been given the credit for having opened the airport in Baker. Mr. Bethel, who turns 77 in April, 1983, has operated a spraying business, air charter and transit services, as well as a flight instruction school and an aircraft repair shop in Fallon County. He still runs the Air Ambulance Service and airplane repair in this area.

The large black letters on the yellow hangar announces Bethel Aviation and can be seen and recognized for many miles. The 50,000 miles Bethel estimates he has flown could make him the best known pilot in the area. The Bethel name is on its way to becoming a legend in Montana aviation.

 

 

ONE DAY FAIRS HELD AS EARLY AS 1909 THE FORERUNNER OF FALLON COUNTY FAIR

 

Though the acreage was small in 1909, the homesteaders began to think about some kind of fair or exposition to show off their efforts.

In 1923, J. 0. Hembre assumed his duties as first County Extension agent. He would give free advice to farmers, following his teaching of agriculture in Ismay High School. Poultry raising was important in early days - turkey raising became a minor industry under Bentley Sinclair. Corn was an important crop and in 1937 Fallon County corn placed third in the state show in Billings.

The first crop failure in 19111 dampened the agriculture enthusiasm with grasshoppers so thick you could scoop them up with shovels. In 1933 and 1934, the area became part of the Dust Bowl drought that shattered hopes of many homesteaders and no fair was held. Also during World War 11 there was no fair held.

A colorful event held at early fairs were the sulkey horse race run with harness horses, as well as a pulling contest with work horses in the area.

An outstanding event, and one which created much interest, was the Old Timer's Horse Race. Only men 60 years and older were eligible. Entries were Keener, Burns, Hamilton, Glidwell, Bruce and Morrison.

The first fair board consisted of President Larry Burns, L. F. Bruggeman Sr., L. Price Sr., and Albert Fost. Secretary for 25 years was Margaret Carrington. The present board includes Jim Anderson, Art Tronstad, Ronald Shepherd, Ashley Stanhope, Don Rieger, Ann Kreager as secretary and Faye Koenig, treasurer.

The Fallon County Fair has the reputation of being the best in Eastern Montana and draws people not only from much of Montana but North and South Dakota and Wyoming as well. Each year new added buildings and improvements are made. The latest change is a new race track that gives the best length for horse racing.

 

 

FALLON COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM

The Fallon County 4-H program has been an active youth group for many years. It operates under the state Montana Extension office with help readily available from the local office, agents and staff. 4-H clubs have always contributed to the good of their members and the community.

Under the guidance of interested adults, 4-H clubs in our area have grown in number and merit. Many members have earned trips out of the state for outstanding work done.

The Fallon County Fair has been a very important part of 4-H work. because of the great opportunity to exhibit and show off all the work that has been done every year. The 4-H beef sale held every year at the fair is well known and well attended by buyers.

During the course of many years, leaders have encouraged and led the 4-H members through all kinds of work in home economics and agriculture. Mrs. Eugene Russell recently retired after having been a leader for 25 years.

Membership presently includes well over 100 young people whose clubs are: Country Cousins, Country Bumpkins, Country Pals, Fertile Prairie, Ismay Pioneers, Lucky Lassies, Red Butte Ramblers and Willing Workers. Nan Lenhart and Pam Sparks Castleberry are the county agents for Fallon County at the present time.

EXTENSION CLUBS

BEAVER VALLEY HOMEMAKER CLUB - Baker - Mrs. Don Wyrick

THREE IN ONE HOMEMAKER CLUB - Baker -Mrs. Charles Huber

EKALAKA TOWN & COUNTRY - Ruth Berg

LIVELY LEARNERS - Mill Iron - Mrs. Roland McElwain

DILIGENT DOERS - Baker - Mrs. Wesley Breirver

BELLTOWER BUSY BONNIES - Mrs. Kim CLrry

THE FRIENDLY HOME - Baker - Mrs. Clinton Charlesworth

BAKER BETTER HOMES - Mrs. Jim Curry

BAKER HOMECRAFT - Mrs. Ivan Losing

THEADVENTURERS - Baker - Mrs. Edwin Stadel

ANTICLINE - Baker - Mrs. Emil Hoem

BAKER HOMEMAKERS - Mrs. Ed Nelson

BAKER NORTHSIDE - Mrs. Walter Hanratty

OLLIE HOMEMAKERS - Mrs. Ed Bruha

WILLARD HOMEMAKERS - Mrs. Wally PaIrn

HAPPY NEIGHBORS - Plevna -Mrs. Henry BohIe

ALBION 400 - Alzada - Mrs. Lew Viergets

HOMEMAKER'S HERITAGE - Ekalaka - Teresa Tauck