Snyder site history

Artman Snyder homesteaded in the Moyie Valley by 1906. He received a patent to his claim in 1911. The ranger cabin referred to by Edward Stahl was a frame dwelling used as a residence for the ranger, although an informant has said that the first structure was a log cabin that was still there in the 1930s.

The district was visited by National Forest Examiner C.B. Swim (in 1913). A General Land Classification Report to determine agricultural potential resulted from his tour. He stated that the land along the Moyie River and Mission Creek was largely burned over and described that land for the most part as “very stoney.” The area was, in general, sparsely settled along the Moyie River and Round Prairies and Mission creeks.

Land settled prior to the creation of the National Forest is largely open meadow or brush land (although some on Deer and Mission creeks appeared to have been taken for the stands of merchantable timber). “These settlers have made but little showing agriculturally and make their livelihood largely by work off their claims.”

Transportation to the area was supplied by daily passenger and freight service on the Spokane International Railroad. Wagon roads extended to the foot of the higher mountains along Davis (now Skin) Meadow, Deer, Ruby (now Spruce) and Round Prairie creeks. A wagon road also paralleled the railroad tracks for most of the valley or was under construction. A good wagon road was completed by the Forest Service in 1914 that provided a good road connection between Bonners Ferry and Eastport.

The town of Bonners Ferry was characterized as being the most important community with a population of 2,000 in 1913. This town also served as the commercial center and as junction for the Spokane International Railroad and the Great Northern Railway.

Several stations with stores that supplied the local trade were located along the Spokane International Railroad. Meadow Creek was a newly established settlement, with the townsite having been laid out by the Forest Service. The post office reportedly operated from 1913 until 1920, although the town existed beyond that date.

The (Snyder) site was used as a ranger’s headquarters until 1937, when three districts were combined to form the Bonners Ferry Ranger District. Snyder’s status was changed to guard station, and it continued to be used as a work center until the early 1980s.

The station was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

From Forest Service Pamphlet R1-03-41