From the Archives - May 14, 2026

"This Week in History" 50 Years Ago (1976) - "Ken Dinning's Barbershop is introducing geometric precision haircutting and styling for men by David Bailey."

Ken Dinning (Bonners Ferry High School Class of 1956) graduated from the Spokane Molar Barber School in 1957. He returned home to begin his lifetime career as a barber. His friend L.C. McDonald who owned the Little Brick Barber Shop retired; so Ken opened his shop in the vacated space in the Chisholm Building (Hotel Casey/Boardwalk Building) first door next to the stairway on Kootenai Street.

In 1961, Ken purchased a Theo A. Kochs barber chair manufactured in Chicago. It was (is) a heavy-duty, hydraulic reclining chair featuring black upholstered seating, chrome metal detailing, and functional hydraulic pump for height adjustment. The more modern style had a streamlined look with a reclining backrest, and an adjustable headrest for shaves. Ken’s business grew rapidly allowing him to hire help and purchase another barber chair - a 1962 “twin” model of his first chair.

Ken Dinning relocated his barber shop a couple doors down in the same building on Kootenai Street next to the American Legion Building in 1975. Dave Bailey joined him as the “second chair”. Together the barber shop was always open - Ken with the 1961 #1 chair, and Dave with the 1962 #2 chair. Ken retired in the late 1980s.

Dave Bailey, then owner of the barber chairs, acquired the old Whiz-In/Mama’s building on the South Hill and remodeled it into the Barber Ship in 1992. By 1998, Captain Dave was only open on Saturdays. He ordered a new barber chair and sold the very worn Kochs chairs to Larry Cousins. Larry had the two barber chairs reupholstered in gray and opened his Family Barber Shop on Fourth Street near the fairgrounds.

This photo is of the two Kochs chairs in Larry’s Shop. Larry closed his shop in 2015 and donated the barber chairs to the Museum. We are not allowed to cut hair or trim beards as none of the three barbers donated their barber poles to the Museum.

The Boundary County Historical Society and Museum, 7229 Main, Bonners Ferry, Idaho sponsors this column. 

Visit the museum, Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., or visit the website at boundarycountymuseum.org or the museum’s Facebook page for historical photos and stories, and to see upcoming events. The museum can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at 208-267-7720.