NATIONAL FORESTS -- The Bonners Ferry Ranger District is planning an event to celebrate of the history and recent renovation of the historic Snyder Guard Station.

At more than 104 years old, the guard station has been a symbol of north Idaho’s history as it transitioned from housing early Forest Service firefighters to becoming one of the finest recreational sites in the region.

On Saturday (May 19), an open house will offer tours of the facilities, presentations of historic interest and free chili and cornbread while it lasts.

“Snyder Guard Station truly is one of those special places that everyone in the area should visit,” said Bonners Ferry District Ranger Linda McFaddan. “This facility has been a part of north Idaho since the early days when it housed firefighters and trail crews. Today it’s a favorite location for family reunions, weddings and quiet retreats.”

Read on for details.

Scheduled events will focus on traditional skills and sharing our past. Visitors can walk through the Forest Service time line, hear the story of our beginnings and peek in on the old Fire Dispatch office. Everyone is encouraged to participate in cross cut saw demonstrations, tree identification presentations, and learn to locate wildfires using an Osborne Fire Finder. Other activities will include visits to the cookhouse, Rangers house, log crew cabins and a representational trail crew camp. Kids and adults will enjoy seeing a mule packing demonstration at the corral, trying on a smoke chaser pack vintage 1940’s, and learning about the beginnings of the Smoke Jumper program.

In addition to the celebration, the Snyder Guard Station’s history is also being featured as part of the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit “The Way We Worked,” opening at the Bonner County Museumon May 12, 2012.

This full day celebration will take place on May 19, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Directions to the Snyder Guard Station can be found on the guard station’s web page, or by calling the Bonners Ferry Ranger District at (208) 267-5561.