Methow Store

The Methow Store recently re-opened under new ownership. There has been a store in this location off and on, under many different owners since the late 1800s.

Today

Methow Store outlined in yellow

1895 Government Land office Map

1910 Baines Map

Land owned by Walter Bolinger

Walter Bolinger

In addition to owning the Methow Store, Mr. Bolinger also organized the Bolinger Ditch Company, was the owner of Bolinger Orchards, community leader, and served in the Washington State Legislature as a representative and a senator where he got legislative approval and helped secure $10,000 for the first Pateros-Winthrop highway which was also the first state funded highway.

Blue Front Store

Walter first opened a store in the mining town of Ruby in 1892.

Squaw Creek Mining Camp

When the mines shut down in Ruby he opened a store at the Squaw Creek mining camp.

The store as Emergency shelter

From a newpaper article in the Okanogan Reporter, October 13, 1905

"Methow Has a Big Whirlwind." A surprising whirlwind hit the Methow community and broke the two-story schoolhouse in half vertically. The students were outside for recess and saw it on the other side of the Methow River, coming towards them. Mrs. Gussie Bolinger was working in the store and saw the children and got them into the store's basement, while the whirlwind went through the town. Everybody was fine, but the schoolhouse had to be rebuilt.

Store and PO 1910

In 1898 when the mining camp shut down the store was moved to the present location.

Methow in 1910

Buildings include Bolinger home and sheds, Jack Healam home, first Methow log schoolhouse, the Methow Hotel, the C.A. Teagarden home, the 2nd two-story schoolhouse, Bolinger store and post office.

1934 Metsker Map

The upgraded road has now passed between the Bolinger home and the store. The back of the store become the front. Property is now shown as being owned by U.L. Countryman

Google earth

When the updated road was built in the early thirties and the store front moved to the other side, the building was now too close to the road so they cut off the corner of the building. You can see that in the photo next to where the cars are.

Long list of store owners

First Methodist Episcopal Church members - several of whom at one point owned the store. From left to right: Walter and Gussie Bolinger, Homer Snyder, Jack Healam, Mrs. Snyder, Mrs. Anna Anderson, Mrs. Mary McKinnon, Mrs. Dick, Mr. MacDonald, Kenneth Dick, Myrtle Dick, Bert Vroman, Lily Countryman, Irene Vroman, Mrs. Logue, Mr. Teagarden, Ada Vroman.

List of Methow Store owners:

Walter Bolinger

Bert Vroman

Mark Dunbar

Stan Ludeman

Jack Wood

Mae Lynch

The Graces

Marty Nordang