Pieces of history returned to donors

Libby native Ken Baeth oversaw the construction of the old band shell back in the 1980s, so when it was torn down last week, it was only fitting that he pluck some of the handiwork from the structure to return it to those who made it possible.

“He was tearing it down, so I had to get them out of there,” Baeth said about the signs, which included names of people and organizations involved in the project both financially and effort-wise.

Names on the wooden plaques Baeth removed included the architect Marge Stewart, Dan Dolezal, Crismore Logging, St. Regis, Kootenai BPW, Libby Jayceens, Kootenai Valley Eagle, The Western News, Libby Junior Women’s Club and Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Baeth wants to return the plaques to each group.

“They’re out there,” he said.

The band shell at the old Libby High School was torn down to make room for a pavilion and landscaping for the Libby Lofts development.

Although technically from Warland, where Baeth’s dad ran the ferry across the Kootenai River before the waters from the Libby dam covered the town, his family moved to Libby in 1926 so his older brother could start high school.

As the central maintenance supervisor for Libby School District from 1965 to 1985, Baeth played an intregal part in building the bandshell.

“(Libby Schools Superintendent) Bill Cooper gave permission to build the park in 1980, and right after that we built the bandshell,” said Baeth.

It took four men, including himself and many volunteers to complete the project in the summer of 1984.

“All the city band members helped build it,” Baeth said. “I had six schools to oversee, so I was a busy guy.”

Baeth recalled bussing the Logger teams to their practices and cleaning the muddy buses afterwards - everyday.

“We hauled them to the high school gym to where the Legion ballpark is now,” he said. “That was just a football field then.”

People interested in claiming the plaques can contact Baeth at 293-6322.