White Elephant Second Hand Store, owned by Brian and Donna Corum, will be demolished as Tractor Supply Co., a large nationwide farm store chain, takes its place. Ronan Mayor Ryan Corum, Brian and Donna’s son, said they have to be out of the building by May 18. 

White Elephant has been operating in Ronan for many years under various owners. The Corums bought it in December 1987 from Montana Bockman, and, to his knowledge, Brian said it has been the White Elephant business since the 1960s.  

Longtime Ronan resident and Lake County Commissioner Gale Decker recalled the building as a roller-skating rink before it became the White Elephant. Decker, who graduated from Ronan High School in 1966, explained that the skating rink near Post Creek 44 Bar Steak and Tap House, called Rainbow Hall, closed when he was in high school, leaving teenagers without a place to skate.  

Decker recalled that the auctioneer, Porter Peregoy, owned the rolling skating rink at the White Elephant location.  

Found within the Ronan Pioneer archives from the 1940s and 1950s was “Shamrock Roller Rink,” south of Ronan on Highway 93. The city limits used to end at Garfield Street, just before the White Elephant. 

A 1941 business story details dancing and roller-skating taking place as R.W. Black and his son Gordon took over the business that year as new owners, before Peregoy owned the Shamrock.  

While only a few advertisements stated that dancing was available with a live swing band, Brian’s son, Ryan, the mayor of Ronan, pointed out a dance hall business license from 1958, issued to Wiley Brimmer, hanging on the wall at White Elephant. According to archives from that time, Brimmer and his wife from Kalispell bought what was called “Merry Dana Hall,” a ballroom, and renovated it into a skating rink that year. 

The city cops would sit at Garfield Street and watch the action from the dance hall just outside of town, but couldn’t do anything about miscreants, according to Brian. 

The archives document events at the rink and display ads featuring hand-drawn artwork of people bowling and skating, advertising “bowling every night.” Later stories detail that Peregoy sold his farm in Ronan and purchased the Shamrock in 1961, with the goal of turning it into a “used merchandise and auction barn called White Elephant.” 

In the back area of the current White Elephant space, a skinny, long section of the store has a sign that reads "ten pin, 20 cents a line." While it’s difficult to read the old painted sign, the word “duck” appears underneath, likely a reference to duckpin bowling, a fast-paced, more challenging form.  

An ad from the summer of 1941 stated that duckpins and regular bowling were available at the Shamrock. Roller Rink ads appear in the Ronan Pioneer from 1941 until 1959, with the name sometimes changing to “Shamrock Pavilion” or “Shamrock Hall,” or just “The Shamrock.” In 1953, Peregoy was hosting auctions while the business was still under the Shamrock name.  

Later in the summer of 1959, Shamrock was advertised for sale at $7,500, with roller-skating equipment included, for $8,000. In 1969, the White Elephant business was sold to Sid Murray and his wife, Doris.   

Throughout the 60s and 70s, White Elephant ads appeared frequently in the newspaper, noting that it was “formerly the Shamrock.” At that time, an elephant illustration served as the logo, with “White Elephant Store” written inside. Ads called it the largest selection of furniture and appliances from Missoula to Kalispell.  

As the store is closing, Ryan and Brian have heard many stories from locals about skating there. Ryan said his parents decided to sell the business because they are ready for retirement. Brian and Donna thank the community for 39 years of friendship and kindness.  

The building has had many additions over the years, and Brian said it was once a mechanic shop, as evidenced by a garage door in the back. The former ballroom, dance hall, roller skating rink, bowling alley and resale shop has unique pecan floors and doesn’t even sit on a real foundation.  

Dan Miller, Ronan’s director of public works, said a crew had already been working on the lot behind the White Elephant, which Tractor Supply purchased along with the highway frontage property. He said the company’s building plans, building permits and DEQ approval have been granted. 

“It’s going to be a nice addition to town,” Miller said.  

Tractor Supply is the “largest” United States rural lifestyle retailer, according to their website. They carry supplies from home improvement and agriculture goods to lawn and garden and pet and livestock supplies.  

The company was founded in 1938 and opened its first store in North Dakota. It now has 2,200 locations across the country.  

Tricia Glenn, a spokesperson for Tractor Supply Company, stated in an email to the Leader that construction on the Ronan store began in April and that the store is currently on track to open by Spring 2027.  

"Ronan is a prime location for Tractor Supply. Along with offering a generous amount of green space, the city has a rich history and an agriculture legacy that we hope our products and tools can help nurture," Glenn stated. "We are excited to join the community and hope to become a resource for all things." 

    Brian and Donna Corum bought White Elephant from Montana Bockman and have operated it for the last 39 years. They want to thank the community for their kindness and friendship over the years. (Ryan Corum photo)

 Before White Elephant was Shamrock Roller Rink, it was Merry Dana Hall, according to the Ronan Pioneer newspaper archives. Wiley Brimmer and his wife purchased the hall, and their original business license from 1958 hangs at White Elephant. (Emily Messer/Leader)

   In the back area of the current White Elephant space, a sign that reads "ten pin, 20 cents a line." The word “duck” appears underneath, likely a reference to duckpin bowling, a fast-paced, more challenging form. (Emily Messer/Leader)