Exciting days were underway during June, 1948, in areas which were to become towns. One, Hungry Horse Village, was to be occupied by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation employees. Other was created for families of General-Shea-Morrison, general contractor, employees.

There were also tents, trailers and homes for workers attracted to the area by construction of Hungry Horse Dam. It meant jobs following World War II.

Top news was the more than $2 million building program underway at the Hungry Horse project. General-Shea-Morrison started a 40 by 120-foot Quonset type office building. First of two story H-type 150 men dormitories was scheduled for construction. Plans were underway for first of 50 one- and two-bedroom homes and warehouses to be built in the contractor’s town, all on government land. It was expected the contractor would sublet building of sewers and water lines in the new town.

Askevold Construction Co., Missoula, was low bidder at a Bureau of Reclamation bid opening. Bid was $468,270.09 for a 24-room dormitory, 36 by 128-foot office annex, 14 five-room and 6 six-room residences, guard house and 10-car garage.

Modern Construction and Fabrication Co., Seattle, was apparent low bidder meeting specifications for 40 by 200-foot repair garage and fire station. Their bid was $28,407.96.

A bid from H and L Building Service, Missoula, was $424,461.12. It was to build, wire and equip with plumbing 24 two-bedroom and 22 three-bedroom prefabricated houses for the Bureau of Reclamation.

Assembly of God campground at the junction of the Flathead River’s south and middle forks was another building site. Twelve ministers and seven laymen were constructing the 64 by 120-foot tabernacle. Other buildings to be completed were a 36 by 70-foot dining hall, 24 by 30-foot kitchen, 26 by 36-foot residence and a 16 by 26-foot office. It was near the new town of South Fork, dubbed area’s beerless boom town.

Meanwhile, a new community hall was under construction six miles south of Columbia Falls. Sunrift Hall had residents of Bad Rock, Deer Park, Lake Blaine and Fairview working together to have it completed in time for a Fourth of July dance. Sunrift Association directors were Ed Clark, Lake Blaine, Wiley Ford, Deer Park, and Henry Eckelberry, Deer Park-Bad Rock. Secretary-treasurer was Albert Lewis, Deer Park.

Sunrift Hall became popular location for variety of community events, including amateur hours, dances, card parties, quilt raffles and meetings for many years.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.