Paradise author shares railroad story

    Local author “Jo” Benita (McNeely) Hanson presented her recently published book at a signing on Thursday evening at the Plains Public Library.

  The book, “Milepost Zero: A Chronicle of the Northern Pacific and its presence in Paradise,” offers readers a factual history of the Northern Pacific (NP) Railway’s Tie Treating Plant located in Paradise.

     Library director Carrie Terrell said that her and her staff were happy to offer Hanson a venue for her signing. Terrell said that as a librarian it’s wonderful to have authors like Hanson in the community to promote reading.

     Writing the book was a labor of love for Hanson, a history buff and Paradise native. Hanson has enjoyed reading other local histories and was disappointed by the absence of one about Paradise. After years of waiting and after seeing funeral after funeral, Hanson realized she would have to write it herself.

  Upon graduating from Montana State University in 1969, Hanson returned to the area, where she held a variety of positions at the Plains School. She taught both German and History before serving as the elementary librarian and secretary as well as the school district clerk and business manager.

    “Milepost Zero” is currently on its second printing after the initial publication of 250 books sold out. The book is complete with timelines, train schedules, maps, pictures, diagrams and even a menu of food offered to customers.

     Hanson said the most rewarding parts of the process were partnering with her late husband Roy in the research and copy editing phases, and seeing how many people were interested in the history of Paradise and the NP.

Hanson began her research in fall of 2009 by compiling books, maps, pictures, and periodicals. She went through newspaper archives of the Missoulian, Plainsmen and Valley Press and even utilized the internet in her quest for knowledge.

Hanson also drew from personal contacts she amassed while growing up on site where her father, J.A. “Butch” McNeely, was a NP employee, from 1952-71. In its heyday, the plant was one of two, which supplied all of NP’s rail lines from Minnesota to Seattle.

Hanson quickly realized that she would have to tell more of the back-story than she had originally planned if her readers were to obtain a full understanding of the plant and its operations. Even the geological and geographic history of the valley is included to explain the NP’s decision to build their plant in Paradise.

Although happy with her work, Hanson’s said her research didn’t turn up everything she’s hoped to find. Fore example, the facts surrounding the demolition of the roundhouse are still unclear. She remains optimistic, however, that the contacts she obtained during the past year will help her to unearth the remaining mysteries.

If she can dig up enough information to warrant publication, Hanson is considering a sequel, however, she won’t do so unless she can make a full second volume, rather than a supplemental pamphlet.

Hanson was invited to do a second signing by the Sanders County Historical Society at the old county jail in Thompson Falls on Mother’s day.