1962 Logger Days Queen shares her memories

This weekend will mark the 57th annual Libby Logger Days. Throughout the years Logger days has gone through changes, but remains one of Lincoln County’s most popular summer events.

One person who has witnessed some of these changes is Linda Swenson Schikora, the Logger Day Queen in 1962. She recently wrote a poem entitled, “Logger Days.”

“It just came to mind,” Schikora said. “Logger Days is an important tradition in this town and within the community. I wanted to show my appreciation for the event.”

Schikora was born and raised in Libby, but moved after getting married.

“After I graduated from high school and got married I left and lived in California and Minneapolis,” Schikora said. “I came back to Libby because of family. I’ve been back for 25 years.”

Schikora was named the 1962 Logger Days Queen.

“I’ll always be the first ever Logger Days Queen,” Schikora said.

She competed against five other girls and they had to sell Logger Day buttons. The buttons were 50 cents apiece. They are now $7 and can be purchased at Managhan’s Furniture, Montana Power Products, Treasure Mountain Sports Bar and Grill, Libby’s Closet, the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce and Alpha Computers. In Troy they are available at Silver Spur and Trojan Lanes.

This year marks the first year that there will be no Logger Days Royalty. Schikora is sad to see the end of an era.

“I feel bad because its part of the tradition associated Logger Days,” she said.

Schikora on what it meant to be named the Logger Day Queen in 1962. “It was exciting to win. I got to be part of the big parade. It was about the biggest parade we had in Libby,” Schikora said.

The logging industry is a dying industry in Libby, but many still try to remember and honor the history and heritage of the town.

“Logging is a tradition in Libby. It may be a dying industry, but it’s important to keep the tradition going,” Schikora said. “The mill employed a lot of people. Logger Days was a huge event growing up.”

The events at Logger Days have changed throughout the years, but the logging competitions are still the main attraction.

“The raft race was a big deal growing up. The year I was named queen myself and the other candidates were the first girls to compete in it,” Schikora said. “They still have the parade, though it’s not as big as it was in 1962. My favorite event now is the Bull of the Woods.”

When Schikora moved away she missed the Logger Days, but she has all the buttons.

“I have all the buttons from each Logger Days. I started collecting them because my mom collected them,” She said.  “It’s a nice way to remember her.”