BONNERS FERRY - The Bonners Ferry Ranger District will have a celebration of the history and recent renovation of the historic Snyder Guard Station.

At more than 104 years old the guard station has been a symbol of North Idaho's history as it transitioned from housing early Forest Service firefighters to becoming one of the finest recreational sites in the region.

On Saturday, the guard station will host an open house that includes tours of the recently renovated facilities, presentations of historic interest and free chili and cornbread while it lasts.

"Snyder Guard Station truly is one of those special places that everyone in the area should visit," said Bonners Ferry District Ranger Linda McFaddan. "This facility has been a part of North Idaho since the early days when it housed firefighters and trail crews. Today it's a favorite location for family reunions, weddings and quiet retreats."

Scheduled events will focus on traditional skills and sharing our past. Visitors can walk through the Forest Service time line, hear the story of our beginnings and peek in on the old Fire Dispatch office.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in cross cut saw demonstrations, tree identification presentations and learn to locate wildfires using an Osborne Fire Finder. Other activities will include visits to the cookhouse, Rangers house, log crew cabins and a representational trail crew camp.

Kids and adults will enjoy seeing a mule packing demonstration at the corral, trying on a smoke chaser pack vintage 1940s and learning about the beginnings of the Smoke Jumper program.

In addition to the celebration, the Snyder Guard Station's history is also being featured as part of the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit "The Way We Worked," at the Bonner County Museum.

Saturday's celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Directions to the Snyder Guard Station can be found on the guard station's Web page, or by calling the Bonners Ferry Ranger District at (208) 267-5561.