View source for Porthill-Rykerts Border Crossing

{{Short description|Border crossing between Canada and the United States}}
{{Infobox port-of-entry
|name=Porthill-Rykerts Border Crossing
|image=Rykerts BC.JPG
|image_size=300px
|image_caption=Canadian Border Inspection Station at Rykerts, British Columbia
|country=[[United States]]; [[Canada]]
|location={{plainlist|
*{{jct|state=ID|ID|1|road|{{jct|province=BC|BC|21}}}}
*'''''US Port:''''' 12222 Idaho Highway 1, [[Porthill, Idaho]]  83853
*'''''Canadian Port:''''' 108 Highway 21, [[Creston, British Columbia]]  V0B 1G2
}}
|coordinates={{coord|display=inline,title|48.999873|-116.49956|region:US_type:landmark|format=dms }}
|opened=1883
| blankdetailstitle1 = US Phone
| blankdetails1 = (208) 267-5309
| blankdetailstitle2 = Canadian Phone
| blankdetails2 = 1-800-461-9999 (calls within Canada) 1-204-983-3500 (calls outside of Canada)
| blankdetailstitle3 = Hours
| blankdetails3 = 7:00 AM-5:00 PM
| website={{URL|http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/porthill-id|Porthill}}
| embedded={{Infobox NRHP | embed = yes
| name = U.S. Inspection Station – Porthill, Idaho
| refnum = 14000252
| added = May 22, 2014
}}
}}
The '''Porthill-Rykerts Border Crossing''' connects the town of [[Bonners Ferry, Idaho]] with [[Creston, British Columbia]] on the [[Canada–United States border|Canada–US border]]. [[Idaho State Highway 1]] on the American side joins [[British Columbia Highway 21]] on the Canadian side, which continues north towards [[Creston, British Columbia|Creston]]. The Porthill-Rykerts Border Crossing is used as the American Port only; Rykerts acts as the Canadian Crossing.
'''Porthill''' is an [[Unincorporated area|unincorporated community]] in [[Boundary County, Idaho|Boundary County]], [[Idaho]], [[United States]], located at the [[Canada–United States border]] into [[British Columbia]]. It is one of only three Ports of entry for Idaho into Canada. (#3308)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Locate a Port of Entry|url=https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/id|website=U.S. Customs and Border Protection|language=en|publisher=US Customs|access-date=November 10, 2021}}</ref>
It is named for founder Charles Plummer Hill, as is Hillcrest Mines, now part of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.<ref>{{Google books|QpvPDpDKrlQC| Who's Who and Why 1919–20 |page=1067}}</ref> The north-flowing [[Kootenai River]] is just west of Porthill.
==Initial settlement==
In 1860, a boundary cairn was erected on the east bank of the [[Kootenai River]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xtribune/1.0189282#p0z-4r0f:%22Bedlington%22 |page=1 |title=Nelson Tribune, 27 Jun 1903|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The former US name was Ockonook, meaning "a grassy hillside with rocks."<ref name=Cemetery>{{Cite web | url=http://boundarycountymuseum.org/news/ockonook-cemetery-walk|title=
A Grassy Hillside with Rocks, September 30, 2016 |website=boundarycountymuseum.org}}</ref> Around 1871, David McLoughlin and family relocated south from the Kootenay Flats to Ockonook, where he built a log house, which also served as a trading post and a hostel for prospectors traveling downstream. In 1878, prospector George Wallace Hall [[Preemption (land)|preempted]] {{convert|320|acre|ha|0}} in today's [[Lister, British Columbia]].
==Steamboat era==
In 1883, John C. Rykert established a Canadian customs station immediately north of the boundary to intercept [[steamboat]]s and other river traffic sailing from Bonners Ferry to [[Kootenay Lake]].{{sfn|Jones|1994|p=13 (11)}}<ref name=22Dec22>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0400319#p5z-2r0f:%22Porthill%22 |page=6 |title=Daily News, 22 Dec 1922|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Rykert was a customs officer, immigration inspector, gold commissioner's agent, and registrar of shipping.{{sfn|Harvey|2002|p=7 (5)}}
By 1890, Mike Driscoll was proprietor of the Palace hotel at what was then known as Rykert's custom-house.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xminer/1.0182757#p7z-2r0f:%22Rykerts%22 |page=8 |title= Miner, 6 Sep 1890|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> To Mr. & Mrs. Richard Wood, Ockinook residents, were born children in 1891 and 1892, before the family moved to the Creston Valley in 1898.{{sfn|Stuart|1968|p=69 (63)}}
Major Joseph I. Barnes was the US inspector of customs until the end of [[Benjamin Harrison]]'s presidential term in 1893.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/miss-julia-pardoe/an-illustrated-history-of-north-idaho--embracing-nez-perces-idaho-latah-koot-ewl/page-213-an-illustrated-history-of-north-idaho--embracing-nez-perces-idaho-latah-koot-ewl.shtml |page=850 |title=An illustrated history of north Idaho |year=1903|website=www.ebooksread.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcnews/1.0066085#p2z-4r0f:%22Ockonook%22 |page=3 |title=Kaslo Morning News, 28 Apr 1898|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> That year, Barnes became the inaugural US postmaster at Ockonook.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xtribune/1.0187644#p0z-1r0f:%22stone's%22 |page=1 |title=Tribune, 14 Dec 1893|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Charles Plummer Hill took over as the US customs officer,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xminer/1.0182906#p0z-4r0:%22Ockonook%22 |page=1 |title=Miner, 2 Feb 1895|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> a position he held for 10 years.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0385617#p5z-3r0f:%22Port%22 |page=6 |title=Daily News, 6 Jul 1914|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
William Roger Huscroft and family rafted down the north-flowing Kootenai River to Ockonook, crossing the border in September 1891 to settle just on the other side.{{sfn|Harvey|2002|p=6 (4)}} The family built a log cabin across the river,{{sfn|Harvey|2002|p=7 (5)}} which the 1894 spring flood reached, requiring towing to higher elevations as the waters rose. Consequently, the family relocated to Lister, part of which is known as Huscroft.{{sfn|Harvey|2002|p=8 (6)}}
Prior to Miss Agnes McKay becoming the inaugural government school teacher at Ockonook in 1895, David McLoughlin taught the settlers' children from both sides of the boundary using a room in Mike Driscoll's rudimentary hotel. The McLoughlin farm residence was {{convert|200|yd|m|0}} south of the boundary.{{sfn|Jones|1994|p=13 (11)}} In the mid-1890s, Clarke Quarrie was proprietor of the Boundary Line hotel.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xminer/1.0182908#p0z-4r0f:%22Ockonook%22 |page=1 |title=Miner, 23 Feb 1895|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
By 1897, J.I. Barnes also ran a general store.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xtribune/1.0187787#p3z-2r0f:%22Ockonook%22 |page=4 |title=Tribune, 12 Jun 1897|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> That year, McLoughlin received a [[land patent]] for {{convert|120|acre|ha|0}} on the present site of Porthill. C.P. Hill challenged the title, but prior to a court case, Hill purchased {{convert|80|acre|ha|0}} from McLoughlin. That year, as postmaster, Hill succeeded in renaming the settlement Porthill{{sfn|Jones|1994|p=14 (12)}} (called Port Hill by the railroad).<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xminer/1.0183026#p1z-4r0f:%22Port%22 |page=2 |title=Miner, 13 Mar 1897|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Hillcrest Mines, now part of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, [[Alberta]], is also named after Hill.<ref>{{Google books|QpvPDpDKrlQC| Who's Who and Why 1919–20 |page=1067}}</ref>
From 1897, the place name Bedlington was synonymous with Rykerts.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcnews/1.0066105#p1z-3r0f:%22Hill%22 |page=2 |title=BC News, 15 Oct 1897|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Bedlington was a mining camp in the boundary vicinity.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://bccd.vpl.ca/index.php/browse/title/1898/Henderson%27s_BC_Gazetteer_and_Directory |title=1898 BC Directory |website=www.bccd.vpl.ca}}</ref> The Bedlington & Nelson (B&N) stop immediately north of the boundary initially assumed this name<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://bccd.vpl.ca/index.php/browse/title/1899-1900/Henderson%27s_BC_Gazetteer_and_Directory |title=1899–1900 BC Directory |website=www.bccd.vpl.ca}}</ref> but had been renamed Rykerts by 1904.<ref name=GN04>{{Cite web | url=http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/GN_ETT/1904_02_28_GN_ETT_Spokane_Division_2.pdf#page=4 |page=4 |title=Feb 1904 timetable |website=www.gn-npjointarchive.org}}</ref> Over time, the Bedlington name fell into general disuse.
During the 1890s, provincial Constable Sloan was stationed at Rykerts,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xminer/1.0211598#p1z-3r0f:%22Rykerts%22 |page=2 |title=Miner, 20 Aug 1898|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> and beef drives from Alberta commonly came south into the US and north through Porthill.{{sfn|Stuart|1968|p=87 (81)}}
==Cemetery==
In the cemetery on a hill above Porthill, the oldest burial site is for Louisa Sloop (wife of John), dated 1898.<ref name="Cemetery" /> In addition to farming, resident J.E. Sloop was a merchant.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xtribune/1.0187863#p3z-2r0f:%22Ockonook%22 |page=4 |title=Tribune, 5 May 1894|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In 1907, John Jacob Stitch bought part of the Sloop property. The [[Independent Order of Odd Fellows|IOOF]] chapter, which founded in 1901, bought an acre from Stitch in 1908 for a cemetery. The Roman Catholic Church later similarly purchased half an acre from him. On the lodge closure in 1972, the Porthill Community Cemetery Association, became the cemetery owner.<ref name="Cemetery" />
==Train era==
During the construction of the Kootenai Valley/Bedlington & Nelson railways, [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]] (GN) subsidiaries, the prime construction contractor operated a hospital at Port Hill.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/cascade/1.0067563#p3z-3r0f:%22hospital%22 |page=4 |title=Cascade Record 29 Jul 1899|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In October 1899, the Bedlington depot was built and the rail head passed northward across the boundary in advancing from Bonners Ferry to [[Wynndel]].{{sfn|Jones|1994|p=14 (12)}}<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xtribune/1.0188820#p0z-4r0f:%22Bedlington%22 |page=1 |title=Tribune, 16 Oct 1899|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Southward to Bonners Ferry opened, but northward did not open until late 1900. In the interim, the latter portion continued to be worked by a steamer, including through the winter.{{sfn|Affleck|1994|p=32 (30)}}
The terminal for regular train service quickly cut back to Wynndel, then Creston.<ref name=Cres5>{{Cite web | url=https://www.crowsnest-highway.ca/cgi-bin/citypage.pl?city=CRESTON#5| title=The Bedlington and Nelson Railway | website=www.crowsnest-highway.ca}}</ref> Certainly by February 1904, the three times weekly [[mixed train]] ran no farther north than Creston.<ref name="GN04" /> In 1907, the Yale-Columbia Lumber Co. established a new lumber camp,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/cranherald/1.0070418#p5z-3r0f:%22Yale%22 |page=6 |title=Cranbrook Herald, 21 Feb 1907|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> accessed from a spur at Rykerts. The next year, the company [[Shay locomotive]] with three cars ran out of control and derailed on the spur. Two crew members escaped, but the engineer died from a broken neck.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0383044#p2z-3r0f:%22logging%22 |page=3 |title=Daily News, 3 Nov 1908|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In 1911, the three occupants of a horse-drawn sleigh traveling along the track escaped serious injury when struck by a train near the Yale-Columbia crossing.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0172840#p4z-3r0f:%22train%22 |page=5 |title=Creston Review, 17 Feb 1911|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
In December 1914, the final twice weekly mixed train ran north to Creston,<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/GN_ETT/1914_02_01_GN_ETT_Spokane_Division_37.pdf#page=7 |page=7 |title=Jan 1914 timetable |website=www.gn-npjointarchive.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173478#p7z-5r0f:%22Port%22 |page=8 |title=Creston Review, 18 Dec 1914|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> and the Wynndel–Porthill track was lifted in 1916.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173327#p7z-4r0:%22railway%22 |page=8 |title=Creston Review, 4 Aug 1916|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
In 1915, Port Hill became the northern terminal for the mixed train.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/GN_ETT/1915_01_10_GN_ETT_Spokane_Division_41.pdf#page=7 |page=7 |title=Jan 1915 timetable |website=www.gn-npjointarchive.org}}</ref> About 1927, all passenger service ended.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.gn-npjointarchive.org/GN_ETT/1926_01_01_GN_ETT_Spokane_Division_12.pdf#page=6 |page=6 |title=Jan 1926 timetable |website=www.gn-npjointarchive.org}}</ref> Freight service ceased in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://bryandspellman.com/boundary-county-idaho|title=Boundary County Idaho|website=www.bryandspellman.com|date=22 December 2020}}</ref>
==Road passengers==
In 1892, Sam Smith extended his stage service beyond Bonners Ferry to Ockonook, important especially during the wintertime, when ice could block river traffic.{{sfn|Affleck|1994|p=31 (29)}} The service soon became
Bonners Ferry–Kootenay Landing.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0175200#p3z-4r0f:%22Sam%22 |page=4 |title=Creston Review, 1 Jun 1928|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The wagon roads were rough, but the winter sleigh travel was smoother. The hotel and saloon accommodation at Porthill was satisfactory. However, at Chambers City (south end of Duck Lake), a necessary destination when ice blocked the river upstream, William H. Chambers ran the only establishment. His Palace hotel, operating from 1893 to possibly as late as 1897, lacked beds, benches and chairs, and served only beverages, but meals may have been provided initially.{{sfn|Affleck|1994|p=31 (29)}}<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.castlegarnews.com/opinion/place-names-chambers-city |title=Castlegar News, 8 Mar 2018|website=www.castlegarnews.com|date=8 March 2018}}</ref> After the railroad construction contract was let in mid-1898, Smith foresaw his service as redundant and retired from staging to his ranch on the west side of the Kootenay River above Porthill.{{sfn|Affleck|1994|p=32 (30)}}
During the mid-1910s, Dunc. Cameron operated a Porthill–Bonners Ferry auto stage.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173362#p7z-4r0f:%22stage%22 |page=8 |title=Creston Review, 13 Oct 1916|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In 1923, a new Creston–Bonners Ferry daily auto stage commenced.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0401020#p4z-3r0f:%22Porthill%22 |page=5 |title=Daily News, 28 Apr 1923|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
In 1930, the [[Cranbrook, British Columbia|Cranbrook]]–[[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]] motorcoach began using the crossing after gravelling of the hill to the south eliminated the need for chains.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0400733#p10z-3r0f:%22Port%22 |page=11 |title=Daily News, 13 Nov 1930|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In summer during that decade, buses to Spokane could complete the Creston–Porthill route in 20 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0174603#p3z-4r0f:%22Porthill%22 |page=4 |title=Creston Review, 12 Jun 1931|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
Creston Bus Lines provided a Creston–Porthill service at least for 1947–1953.<ref>{{cite book|last=WHG |page=242 |title=Forest to Fields: Duck Creek to Wynndel, 1886–1986 |publisher=Wynndel Heritage Group |year=1986|isbn=0-88925-675-6}}</ref>
==Canadian highway and Rykerts==
By 1909, the Creston–Porthill highway was considered good.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0172676#p4z-4r0f:%22wagon%22 |page=5 |title=Creston Review, 15 Oct 1909|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The next year, the wagon road from [[Erickson, British Columbia|Erickson]] was upgraded for auto travel.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0383629#p3z-3r0f:%22Hill%22 |page=4 |title=Daily News, 16 Oct 1910|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> During the 1910s, the condition of the Creston highway was considered inferior to the highway south of the boundary.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0172990#p0z-4r0f:%22international%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 7 Jun 1912|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
In 1922, J.C. Rykert retired as the border officer after 40 years continuous service.<ref name="22Dec22" /> In 1920, less than 200 cars used the crossing, but in 1926 about 4,000 cars and 18,000 persons crossed.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0403150#p4z-2r0f:%22Port%22 |page=5 |title=Daily News, 14 Apr 1927|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In 1928, a new road (present Highway 21) was built from Creston upon the abandoned K.V. Railway right-of-way, and a customs office doubled in size was erected.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0175076#p0z-4r0f:%22surveys%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 28 Oct 1927|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0403549#p4z-3r0f:%22Rykerts%22 |page=5 |title=Daily News, 23 Jul 1928|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The 1929 crossings were 9,722 autos and 29,230 people. The statistics exclude the immediate local traffic.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0174338#p4z-4r0f:%22Rykerts%22 |page=5 |title=Creston Review, 28 Feb 1930|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The next year handled 13,233 autos and 45,421 persons.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0174535#p4z-5r0f:%22Rykerts%22 |page=5 |title=Creston Review, 23 Jan 1931|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
During 1934, the road was being upgraded to a standard width highway.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0175096#p0z-4r0f:%22Porthill%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 8 Jun 1934|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The opening of a good highway for the [[Eastport–Kingsgate Border Crossing]] caused a 10 per cent drop in traffic for the 1934 Rykerts crossings, which recorded 11,512 autos and 36,892 passengers.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0175225#p3z-5r0f:%22Porthill%22 |page=4 |title=Creston Review, 1 Feb 1935|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
In 1956, paving of the highway was completed.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22and+completion%22Porthill%22&ymd=1955-12-15&t=8803 |page=36 |title=Calgary Herald, 15 Dec 1955 |quote=Mr Black also said paving and completion of the Creston–Porthill road should be accomplished in the coming year. | website=www.newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 2014-15, 270,085 travellers crossed at the port of entry. A new facility was built in 2017 to replace the previous building erected in 1972.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca/news/rykerts-border-crossing-south-of-creston-to-be-replaced |title=Creston Valley Advance, 29 Jul 2015|website=www.crestonvalleyadvance.ca|date=29 July 2015}}</ref>
In the April 2020 [[COVID-19]] restrictions, Canada reduced the previous border hours of 8:00am to midnight (winter) and 7:00am to 11:00pm (summer).<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.canada.ca/en/border-services-agency/news/2020/04/covid-19--temporary-reduction-of-service-at-canadian-land-border-crossings.html |title=Fact Sheet: COVID-19 – Temporary reduction of service at Canadian land border crossings |website=www.canada.ca|date=15 April 2020 }}</ref> The current hours are daily from 7:00am to 7:00pm.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/offices-bureaux/545-eng.html |title=CBSA: Rykerts|website=www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca|date=17 May 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Old border inspection station - Porthill Idaho.jpg|thumb|right|Former US border station at Porthill, Idaho]]
==US highway and Porthill (post-1900)==
In 1909, Geo. Price sold the Porthill hotel,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0172624#p3z-4r0f:%22Hill%22 |page=4 |title=Creston Review, 18 Jun 1909|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> and C.J. McClure, the GN station agent, purchased the Barnes general store.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/cranherald/1.0069832#p2z-3r0f:%22Hill%22 |page=3 |title=Cranbrook Herald, 24 Jun 1909|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> At this time, Martin Peterson<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0172543#p0z-4r0f:%22Hill%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 28 Jan 1909|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> and H.S. French were also storekeepers.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0172668#p4z-4r0f:%22French%22 |page=5 |title=Creston Review, 8 Oct 1909|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
In 1911, the former Whitney hotel became a restaurant.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xledgreen/1.0181715#p0z-2r0f:%22Port%22 |page=1 |title=Ledge, 28 Sep 1911|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The next year, Jim English reopened his hotel.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173036#p7z-4r0f:%22English%22 |page=8 |title=Creston Review, 5 Jul 1912|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Joe Stick was mayor during this period.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173050#p4z-4r0f:%22Port%22 |page=5 |title=Creston Review, 13 Dec 1912|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In 1913, John T. Lingrell (Ingram?) and Mark F. Kelly purchased the J.W. Gardner store.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/cranherald/1.0069455#p2z-3r0f:%22Lingrell%22 |page=3 |title=Cranbrook Herald, 19 Jun 1913|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In 1915, a fire started in a shack alongside the Whitney hotel. Destroyed were the Whitney and English hotels, their stables, the Ingram and Kelly general store and implement warehouse, the unoccupied Billings hotel, and a former poolroom/barbershop. Surviving were a barbershop, Spot's saloon, and the H.A. French general store/post office.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173030#p0z-5r0f:%22Port%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 7 May 1915|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> With state [[prohibition]] imminent, only the Ingram and Kelly store was rebuilt.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173037#p7z-4r0f:%22Ingram%22 |page=8 |title=Creston Review, 21 May 1915|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Later that year, Sam T. Jordan opened a store.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173169#p0z-4r0f:%22Jordan%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 5 Nov 1915|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
Ernest D. King settled in Porthill around 1904 and married resident Mabel Smith in 1915. Hartley Lester King was born in 1916.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://bonnersferryherald.com/news/2016/oct/13/hartley-king-becomes-a-centenarian-11 |title=Bonners Ferry Herald, 13 Oct 2016|website=www.bonnersferryherald.com|date=13 October 2016}}</ref> Hartley died in Bonners Ferry in 2018, three weeks shy of his 102nd birthday.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com/obituary/hartley-king |title=Hartley Lester King of Bonners Ferry, Idaho : 1916 - 2018 : Obituary|website=www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com}}</ref>
In 1925, a new highway north was within {{convert|8|mi|km|0}} of the border.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0402720#p3z-3r0f:%22Porthill%22 |page=4 |title=Daily News, 8 Sep 1925|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
In 1932, a service station and lunch room opened at Porthill.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0174768#p3z-4r0f:%22Porthill%22 |page=4 |title=Creston Review, 24 Jun 1932|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
In 1967, the US replaced its 1938 brick border station with the current wooden structure. A redesign of the road approach positioned the new facility in a different location, preserving the former building. In 2014, the old border station was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Boundary County, Idaho]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://livingnewdeal.org/projects/inspection-station-porthill-id |title=Inspection station (former) – Porthill ID |website=www.govinfo.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2014-05-07/pdf/2014-10400.pdf|title=Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 88 / Wednesday, May 7, 2014 / Notice |website=www.govinfo.gov}}</ref>
A post office<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.postallocations.com/id/porthill/porthill|title=Porthill Post Office |website=www.postallocations.com}}</ref> and tavern with gas bar exist at Porthill.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://jakeslandingusa.com/#portfolio-1 |title=Jake's Landing |website=www.jakeslandingusa.com}}</ref>
US border post hours are identical to the Canadian ones.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/porthill-id |title=US Customs and Border Protection: Porthill|website=www.cbp.gov}}</ref>
==Porthill ferry==
In 1915, a new 100-ton ferry was installed for crossing the river at Porthill.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/mherald/1.0311313#p1z-3r0f:%22ferry%22 |page=2 |title=Mail Herald |date=11 Aug 1915 |website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In 1920, the Boundary county commissioners let a contract for the construction of a replacement ferry.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/data/batches/idhi_everglades_ver01/data/sn86091084/00279550894/1920021701/0050.pdf |page=1 |title=Bonners Ferry Herald, 17 Feb 1920|website=www.chroniclingamerica.loc.gov}}</ref>
Around the 1960s, a logging truck boarded the river-crossing ferry on the western shore. J.H. Huscoft Co. owned the ancient vehicle, which had hauled a load from the [[Selkirk Mountains]] via an access road which traversed the boundary. Positioned at the front of the ferry, the vehicle was in neutral with the motor running. The ferry pulling away from the shore jolted the empty cab, which jerked the shift into low gear. Slowly, the truck moved forward, forced down the front apron of the ferry, and plunged into the river, where the logs provided flotation. After the ferry pushed the load to the eastern shore, a bulldozer towed the vehicle up the ramp out of the river. The motor restarted, the truck continued on its way to the company sawmill at Creston.<ref>{{Google books| V6BgpakwSdcC|Carving the Western Path |page=PT148}}</ref>
The Porthill ferry operated at least till the mid-1960s.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1971/0267/plate-1.pdf  |title=1965 map|website=www.usgs.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Google books| sEe5D_wLiJ4C |Merchant Vessels of the US, 1965 |page=1045}}</ref>
==Climate==
Porthill has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb'') with some [[mediterranean climate|mediterranean]] (''Csb'') influences.
{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = Porthill, Idaho (1991–2020 normals, extremes since 1893)
|single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 54
| Feb record high F = 60
| Mar record high F = 77
| Apr record high F = 87
| May record high F = 96
| Jun record high F = 107
| Jul record high F = 108
| Aug record high F = 103
| Sep record high F = 97
| Oct record high F = 87
| Nov record high F = 69
| Dec record high F = 59
| year record high F = 108
| Jan avg record high F = 47
| Feb avg record high F = 50
| Mar avg record high F = 61
| Apr avg record high F = 74
| May avg record high F = 85
| Jun avg record high F = 89
| Jul avg record high F = 96
| Aug avg record high F = 97
| Sep avg record high F = 87
| Oct avg record high F = 72
| Nov avg record high F = 56
| Dec avg record high F = 47
| year avg record high F = 97
| Jan high F = 35.5
| Feb high F = 40.2
| Mar high F = 50.0
| Apr high F = 60.4
| May high F = 70.7
| Jun high F = 75.7
| Jul high F = 85.5
| Aug high F = 85.6
| Sep high F = 74.1
| Oct high F = 58.2
| Nov high F = 44.1
| Dec high F = 35.5
| year high F = 59.6
| Jan mean F = 28.2
| Feb mean F = 31.1
| Mar mean F = 38.8
| Apr mean F = 47.1
| May mean F = 56.4
| Jun mean F = 61.9
| Jul mean F = 68.8
| Aug mean F = 67.6
| Sep mean F = 58.1
| Oct mean F = 45.7
| Nov mean F = 35.7
| Dec mean F = 28.4
| year mean F = 47.3
| Jan low F = 20.9
| Feb low F = 21.9
| Mar low F = 27.7
| Apr low F = 33.8
| May low F = 42.0
| Jun low F = 48.1
| Jul low F = 52.1
| Aug low F = 49.5
| Sep low F = 42.1
| Oct low F = 33.1
| Nov low F = 27.4
| Dec low F = 21.2
| year low F = 35.0
| Jan avg record low F = 2
| Feb avg record low F = 5
| Mar avg record low F = 14
| Apr avg record low F = 26
| May avg record low F = 31
| Jun avg record low F = 37
| Jul avg record low F = 43
| Aug avg record low F = 41
| Sep avg record low F = 31
| Oct avg record low F = 22
| Nov avg record low F = 12
| Dec avg record low F = 5
| year avg record low F = -5
| Jan record low F = -31
| Feb record low F = -29
| Mar record low F = -17
| Apr record low F = 3
| May record low F = 17
| Jun record low F = 14
| Jul record low F = 28
| Aug record low F = 27
| Sep record low F = 19
| Oct record low F = 4
| Nov record low F = -20
| Dec record low F = -37
| year record low F = -37
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 2.16
| Feb precipitation inch = 1.70
| Mar precipitation inch = 1.91
| Apr precipitation inch = 1.65
| May precipitation inch = 2.19
| Jun precipitation inch = 2.10
| Jul precipitation inch = 1.24
| Aug precipitation inch = 0.82
| Sep precipitation inch = 1.06
| Oct precipitation inch = 1.80
| Nov precipitation inch = 2.41
| Dec precipitation inch = 2.45
| year precipitation inch = 21.49
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 inch
| Jan precipitation days = 12
| Feb precipitation days = 9
| Mar precipitation days = 10
| Apr precipitation days = 10
| May precipitation days = 10
| Jun precipitation days = 12
| Jul precipitation days = 6
| Aug precipitation days = 4
| Sep precipitation days = 6
| Oct precipitation days = 8
| Nov precipitation days = 12
| Dec precipitation days = 11
| year precipitation days =
|source 1 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]<ref name=PorthillNOAA>{{cite web
|url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=otx |title=NOW Data Forecast Office Spokane, WA|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|accessdate=August 6, 2022 }}</ref>
}}
==Crime and calamity==
{{hidden|details|
* 1899: During the blasting of a nearby railroad cut, an explosion killed two construction employees.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xnakledge/1.0182110#p0z-1r0f:%22killed%22 |page=1 |title=Ledge, 23 Feb 1899|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Months later, a construction worker shot a bookkeeper in the back of the head over a pay dispute. A group of 27 employees were placed in custody at Porthill pending trial.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xtribune/1.0188646#p3z-4r0f:%22criminal%22 |page=4 |title=Tribune, 6 Jun 1899|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The next month, a police officer acting in self-defense fatally shot the Porthill dance hall proprietor, who had resisted arrest.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xtribune/1.0188714#p0z-4r0:%22victim%22 |page=1 |title=Tribune, 16 Jul 1899|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
* 1901: A fatal stabbing occurred.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/silsil/1.0312989#p1z-3r0f:%22Keeler%22 |page=2 |title=Silvertonian. 22 Jun 1901|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
* Early 1900s: Several drownings occurred in this section of river.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0383883#p0z-3r0f:%22drown%22 |page=1 |title=Daily News, 31 May 1910|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
* 1910–1911: Colin S. Smith and wife Ellen, who had an infant daughter, were involved in the following feud. Smith accused George S. Hewitt, his father-in-law, of prior incest regarding Ellen. Strongly supported by H.A. French, merchant and late justice of the peace, Hewitt was found not guilty. All parties were Porthill residents. Subsequently, Hewitt claimed Smith was not a fit parent, but the action faltered. Through the instigation of Smith's friends, French was arrested for illegally selling alcohol and was fined $100. In a later incident, Smith fired two shots point blank at Hewitt, who was visiting the ranch. Charged with attempted murder, Smith was jailed, then released, the prosecution witnesses having disappeared. On several later occasions, Smith warned off James Baker, who was visiting the ranch. Soon after, a driver transported Baker, Ellen Smith, and infant, to Erickson in his horse-drawn rig. In pursuit, Colin Smith walked the {{convert|7|mi|km|adj=on|0}} railroad right-of-way to Creston, the wagon road being double the distance. In an accident near Goat canyon, the rig was destroyed on falling {{convert|100|ft|m|0}} down an embankment, but nobody was injured. Baker was arrested in Creston for carrying concealed weapons. The reunited Mr. and Mrs. Smith, with infant, happily returned to Port Hill.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0384090#p7z-2r0f:%22feud%22 |page=8 |title=Daily News, 31 Jul 1911|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
* 1913: A robbery target, who shot to death his attacker in front of English's saloon,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0384989#p0z-3r0f:%22Hill%22 |page=1 |title=Daily News, 4 Feb 1913|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> was found not guilty.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173152#p0z-4r0f:%22Port%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 4 Apr 1913|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
*1999: A fugitive who ran the Rykerts crossing was pursued and apprehended by [[RCMP]] officers after an exchange of gunfire.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1999-02-22-06 |page=6 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=22 Feb 1999|website=www.pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}</ref>}}
==Continental mine==
{{hidden|details|
In 1891, Billy Houston and Fred Sutter staked the claim in the Selkirk Mountains. The location was a one-week trek northward from the [[Sandpoint, Idaho]] railroad stop.<ref name=Sand>{{Cite web | url=https://sandpointmagazine.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Back-to-the-Continental-Mine-by-Chris-Bessler-S1994.pdf |title=Back to the Continental Mine |year=1994 |website=www.sandpointmagazine.com}}</ref> In 1893, Albert K. Klockmann and John Manley bought the property, each holding a half interest in what became the Continental mine. By 1897, they planned a road to the Kootenay River for shipping ore by boat.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/gfminer/1.0081841#p1z-3r0f:%22Continental%22 |page=2 |title=Grand Forks Miner, 31 Jul 1897|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
In 1901, the mine was incorporated as the Idaho Continental Mining Co,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/ndaymine/1.0084003#p2z-3r0f:%22Continental%22 |page=3 |title=Nelson Daily Miner, 12 Nov 1901|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> and the wagon road to Porthill was completed.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xtribune/1.0189126#p0z-4r0f:%22Continental%22 |page=1 |title=Nelson Tribune, 12 Dec 1901|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In 1902, 12 horse teams were hauling 12 tons per day to the B&N at Porthill.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/ndaymine/1.0083802#p3z-3r0f:%22Idaho-Continental%22 |page=4 |title=Nelson Daily Miner, 27 Feb 1902|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> After a fatality in 1902 and 1903 from thawing dynamite,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0381475#p0z-2r0f:%22Continental%22 |page=1 |title=Daily News, 14 Oct 1903|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> activity ceased at the mine. During these two years 1,200 tons of high-grade silver-lead ore had been shipped.<ref name=28Jun12>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0172993#p0z-4r0f:%22Continental%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 28 Jun 1912|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
In 1911, work began to reactivate the mine,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0384148#p1z-3r0f:%22Continental%22 |page=2 |title=Daily News, 14 Jul 1911|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> which comprised 20 claims and a mile of underground workings.<ref name="28Jun12" /> A [[mineral processing#Concentration|concentrator]] and a power plant installed in 1913 cost $300,000.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xledgreen/1.0181480#p0z-2r0f:%22concentrator%22 |page=1 |title=Ledge, 13 Mar 1913|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The {{convert|14|mi|km|adj=on|0}} access road was rebuilt.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173329#p0z-4r0f:%22miles%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 26 Dec 1913|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> In 1916, a new concentrator with a 300-tons-per-day capacity was erected.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/mherald/1.0311320#p3z-3r0f:%22Port%22 |page=4 |title=Mail Herald, 25 Mar 1916|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> That year, 72 cars of high-grade silver-lead were produced.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173427#p4z-4r0f:%22Port%22 |page=5 |title=Creston Review, 26 Jan 1917|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Employees numbered about 200. From 1917, eight trucks joined the horse teams in hauling ore.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xledgreen/1.0308406#p3z-4r0f:%22Port%22 |page=4 |title=Ledge, 22 Nov 1917|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> While drawing gasoline from one of the half dozen tanks awaiting to be unloaded from a scow at Porthill, an employee placed a lantern too close, igniting all the fuel.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173486#p0z-4r0f:%22Continental%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 31 Aug 1917|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> Over a 10-month period, the mine shipped 175 carloads of concentrates.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173517#p0z-4r0f:%22carloads%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 7 Dec 1917|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> By 1919, the trucks had increased to 12, and the workforce reduced to 130.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0173650#p3z-4r0f:%22Continental%22 |page=4 |title=Creston Review, 29 Aug 1919|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
The community, named Klockmann, had a post office.<ref name="Sand" /> During the 1920s, employee numbers gradually fell.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0401309#p4z-2r0f:%22Continental%22 |page=5 |title=Daily News, 11 Dec 1923|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref> The removal of the electric plant in 1929 indicated the mine had permanently closed.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/xcrestonrev/1.0175421#p0z-4r0f:%22Continental%22 |page=1 |title=Creston Review, 4 Oct 1929|website=www.library.ubc.ca}}</ref>
Limited mining continued until the 1950s. Nowadays, only a potentially toxic tailings pile remains.<ref name="Sand" />}}
==See also==
* [[List of Canada–United States border crossings]]
==Footnotes==
{{Reflist}}
==References==
*{{cite journal |url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bch/1.0190739#p11z-3r0f:%22Porthill%22 |last=Jones |first=Carle |date=1994 |title=BC Historical News: The David McLoughlin Story |volume=28 |issue=1 |website=www.library.ubc.ca}}
*{{cite journal |url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bch/1.0190739#p30z-3r0f:%22Porthill%22 |last=Affleck |first=Edward L |date=1994 |title=BC Historical News: The Stagecoach and The Sleigh on the Kootenay Flats 100 Years Ago |volume=28 |issue=1 |website=www.library.ubc.ca}}
*{{cite journal |url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bch/1.0190659#p3z-3r0f:%22Porthill%22 |last=Harvey |first=R.G. |date=2002 |title=BC Historical News: The Trek of the Huscrofts in 1891|volume=35 |website=www.library.ubc.ca}}
*{{Cite book | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcbooks/1.0380979#p86z-5r0f:%22Porthill%22 |last=Stuart |first=Will |page=87 (81) |title=Some we have met and stories they have told : oldtimers of the valley, the mountains, the prairies|year=1968 |website=www.library.ubc.ca}}
== External links ==
*{{Cite web | url=https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~260568~5522973:Perry-s-mining-map-of-the-southern- |title=1893 Perry's mining map |website=www.davidrumsey.com}} for Chambers City and Bedlington
{{commons category|Rykerts Border Station}}
[[Category:Canada–United States border crossings]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Boundary County, Idaho]]
[[Category:Government buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Idaho]]
[[Category:1883 establishments in Idaho Territory]]
[[Category:1883 establishments in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Boundary County, Idaho]]