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
1959 Metsker Map
This map shows Mark Dunbar as owner.
Methow Store and Gas Station
Store is to the left. The gas station building became the Methow Cafe
Google Earth - today
The Methow store next to the Methow Cafe
Opened July 5, 2024
Allen Giernet and Shayne Naudi, owners
*photo courtesy of Joanna Bastian and the Methow Valley News