Methow Store outlined in yellow

Land owned by 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.

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

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

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

 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. 

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

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. 

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

This map shows Mark Dunbar as owner.

Store is to the left.  The gas station building became the Methow Cafe

The Methow store next to the Methow Cafe

Allen Giernet and Shayne Naudi, owners

*photo courtesy of Joanna Bastian and the Methow Valley News