Celebration Is New Fun In Oldtown Hydros A Hit As Town Honors Its Rich History

This little burg, which stretches 12 blocks along on the Idaho-Washington border, marked its 103rd year in existence Saturday.

The town was once a wild river port where gambling halls and houses of ill repute reigned. But this weekend the city’s 183 residents celebrated with vintage cars, helicopter rides and screaming engines from hydroplane boats.

“We were once a wild community with lots of colorful characters,” said Mayor Brian Orr. “But the whore houses and gambling halls are gone. Now we have a river park and new docks.”

The weekend-long party, called Founder’s Day, became a tradition after Oldtown’s centennial birthday. It’s a time for the city to recall its sordid past and honor some of its old-timers.

“We like to invite those who were originally from here to come and share their experiences. One day we hope to put together a history book for the town,” Orr said.

One of the most infamous Oldtown residents was William Vane. He lived in the area until he died in 1918 and was the local “no-goodnick,” Orr said.

Vane owned much of the land that is now Oldtown and had a dispute with the railroad when it came through. When the railroad refused to move a railcar and track Vane claimed was on his land, he blasted it to bits with dynamite.

Orr said Vane was later implicated in a motorcoach robbery between Priest Lake and Priest River. Vane was arrested but skipped town. He faked his death in a boating accident.

“Federal agents didn’t buy the story,” Orr said. “They found Vane in a cabin 10 miles down river disguised as an Indian.”

Vane died in the Pend Oreille County Jail days later from strychnine poisoning. Some said he committed suicide. Others say he was murdered.

“We have some very memorable history,” Orr said.

The town was originally called Newport because it was a service area for work boats running the Pend Oreille River. When a depot agent bought 40 acres of land on the Washington side of the border, that area became Newport. The old town in Idaho was, of course, called Oldtown.

This weekend the town turned back to its river roots and hosted mini hydroplane races. About 35 of the 8-to 16-foot boats roared across the water. Some spectators plugged their ears as the boat engines screamed to life on the beach and then hit nearly 100 mph on the river.

“It’s loud but it’s fun,” said Jeff Hansen a boat racer from St. Maries. “I don’t wear earplugs when I drive. I like to hear the noise.”

“It’s a rush you can’t describe,” said Dan Surfus, snapping off his helmet after a test run in his sleek boat. “We figure it’s as close as we are going to get to being in a jet. It’s addicting and a thrill going fast on the water.”

Oldtown is one of the few places in Idaho that hosts hydroplane races. They have been held for the last four years on a wide, calm stretch of the Pend Oreille River.

Coeur d’Alene residents said no to having a larger, professional race on their lake after concerns were raised about rowdy crowds and noise.

That has never been a problem in Oldtown, Orr said.

“It’s a lot different than having the old steamboats that operated up and down the river, but we enjoy having them.”

, DataTimes MEMO: Cut in the Spokane edition

This sidebar appeared with the story: MORE EVENTS The festivities continue today with a fun run at 8 a.m., a kids carnival at 10 a.m. and more hydroplane races at noon.