My father was the manager of the CdA Chamber of Commerce from 1948 to 1971. Summer of 1952 my mother was on vacation from Edmonton, Alberta. As Dad walked through City Park along the seawall he saw two women who were obviously on vacation (heck, there was only like 2,000 people in CdA, tourists were easy to spot). Dad, as I saw him do with thousands of people all his life, welcomed them to the Lake City.
The rest, as they say, is history. I am a direct product of the Chamber of Commerce, born in the Iron Horse parking lot (Lake City General, more on that some other time).
Dad had traveled all over North America reporting for a semi-weekly publication, The American Field, which is THE journal for anyone involved with bird dogs. But when he came through the Pacific Northwest, he knew this was the place for him. And he fell in love with Coeur d'Alene.
Involved deeply in tourism and the promotion of CdA, North Idaho and Idaho in general (he sat on the first State Tourism committee with Louise Shadduck), Dad came into possession of all sorts of things. The above poem is one of those items. My guess is this was printed somewhere around 1930. I believe it stands the test of time.
My dad, Kyle Walker, has been gone 20 years and I cherish so much of what he left me. Not the least of are his sense of humor, value of family and friends and love of CdA. This blog, and this entire blog site, is dedicated to him, Mr. Coeur d'Alene.
it doesnt seem that long ago that we were kids playing in the street..enjoying the reading..
ReplyDeleteIt was always the highlight of the year when Kyle Walker would come to our Kiwanis Club and spend the whole hour telling stories. Thanks for carrying on for your dad... I know he'd be proud.
ReplyDeleteI would think more babies were made in the Ironhorse parking lot than born! :) Can't wait to hear that story! This is a fun blog Dave!
ReplyDeleteLove the blog. Your parents were the nicest on the block. Your father was always cheerful and your mother was so kind. I remember that on Halloween all of us made a bee-line to your house first. Your mother didn't just hand out candy at the door. She invited us in for a sugar buffet. (I was born at LCGH aka Iron Horse parking lot also.)
ReplyDeleteYou know this story, but your dad pulled my first tooth in the livingroom of Ruth Nipp. My parents were just about to have our Christmas card photo shot and were hoping the tooth would hang in there until after the photo. I remember your dad as a kid-loving, bigger than life nice guy. I wished for years after we moved that we had stayed in your beautiful town. All my memories are fond ones. You give good blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing YOUR memories with me.
ReplyDeleteI was born there too Dave and I love the reaction I get when I tell people so.
ReplyDeleteDorene Russell