Recently made available on the Internet through the "Preserve America" project and the Northeast Washington Genealogical Society, you can search this directory for your ancestor. "R.L.Polk and Co.'s Directory of Stevens, Pend Oreille, and Ferry Counties Washington 1911-12" has been posted online at CrossroadsArchive in eight pdf files. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page to select a file). The whole book is also still available on CD from NeWGS. Check out our store!
This is an important resource as it is a three county-wide listing of households, taxpayers and businesses in Stevens, Ferry and Pend Oreille Counties 1911-1912. It contains descriptions of the various towns that were in existance at that time; lists residents of the various towns, often indicating occupation; and has a list of taxpayers showing nearest post office and valuation of personal property.
Here is an example of the town listings:
Maud .... A mining settlement on Stengar creek, first settled in 1887, 30 miles south of Colvlle, the county seat and banking point and 15 miles southeast of Addy on S.F. & N. branch of the G.N. Ry., its shipping station. Mining is the princiupal industry. Stage to Gifford, Dunn and Addy, fare $1.00, $1.50 and $2.00 respectively. Mail tri-weekly.
McDonald F, real estate
Maxsell J W, lumber manufacturer
Summit Mining Co.
From the list of taxpayers for Ferry County:
Bennett Chas P, Republic, $696
Bergeron & McDonald, Orient, $3000
Bergh Thos, Republic RFD, $181
Bernier Steve, Republic RFD, $268
Billings Mrs T A, Orient, $220
Bishop Walter K, Keller, $343
Black Thorn Mining Co, Covada, $106
