History buffs take a walk

MINERAL COUNTY - Fourteen ardent Mullanites joined Jim Cyr to see a portion of the Mullan Military Road at Sohon Pass July 9. The road was constructed 1859-1862 by about 250 military and civilian workers. The total mileage was 624 miles from Fort Walla Walla, Washington Territory to Fort Benton, Nebraska Territory taking fourteen months, May 1859 to August 1860.

Coming from Victor was Mel Mooers; Tom Bauer and Kim Briggeman of the Missoulian; Bob Dunsmore, Osborn, ID; Bill Thomas, Rivulet; Jim & Norma Cry, Jim Goss and Cathy Reich, Doug Austin, Gail Chamberlain, Roger Hearst, Kay Strombo and Dennis Yarnall all of Superior.

Dennis provided the mechanized wagon ride up the mountain to the pass and back down.

The pass, named by Lt. John Mullan, for his cartographer, linguist and friend, Gustavus Sohon, was renamed in about 1894 to St. Regis Pass by the Northern Pacific Railroad, which is about a mile and a half south and west of present Lookout Pass.

Jim Cry has been walking the route establishing GPS to submit to the Forest Service and the ski area who are considering the possible extension of the Lookout recreation area. In order to preserve the integrity of the road it needs to be marked and acknowledged as a historical part of the area. The entire road is listed as a “National Historical Linear Landmark.”

Another event hosted by the Mineral County Museum will take place on Sunday, August 3 on the courthouse lawn to hear the MCPAC’s Dixieland Band beginning at 2 p.m. and then a ceremony of the centennial of Mineral County 1914 - 2014 with speeches and presentation of the proclamation establishing the county. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served courtesy of the Mineral County Commissioners.