Did you know that October 10th is National Walk to a Park Day? Why not take a walk in Riverside Park on the Northside?
Here is some history about the park: Orchestra organizer Professor William Maughan acquired land south of City Park from Northern Pacific Railway in 1915. An open air pavilion with “dancers having the time of their lives” headlined the official opening of Maughan Park. Maughan enclosed the pavilion for winter use hosting dances basketball games and daily roller skating. Heavy snowfall in 1917 caused Maughan’s pavilion to collapse. Maughan Park was no more.
Maughan Park also known as “City Park” (1920) was renamed Riverside Park in 1990 the ball fields were given new life and are maintained by Boundary County Parks and Recreation.
You can read more information about the park and areas within the park when you go for that walk. There are several interpretive signs along the walking trails that the Museum partnered with 9B Trails and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho to create. Get out and enjoy National Walk to a Park Day.
Photo from the Howe family collection. Caption reads: Sunday outing at Maughan Park on the River. Cora Moore and Alice Howe in dresses.
Updated October 2025 in response to Tim Parkey’s comment below
The Curator at the Museum found this photo on the front page of the Bonners Ferry Herald, Prof. Maughan’s 8 piece orchestra, which will furnish music for the July 4th celebration in 1911!
Special Train Will Leave Creston, B.C. Tuesday, July 4th at 10a.m.
William was my great grandfather my father lived with him after a divorce. My uncle Rusty told me stories of his family they were entertainers all played more than one instrument. They played on the steamers and provided the music for the dance pavilion. He was the smallest in the family which made him the guy that wrestled a pet Bear for the shows they put on at the Maugham park. There was a large box of pictures of some of the shows and the costumes they wore. Unfortunately I never heard more about the family.
Wow, that is interesting family lore! Nobody here had heard about the band playing on the steamboats.
The Curator at the Museum found a photo on the front page of the Bonners Ferry Herald, “Prof. Maughan’s 8 piece orchestra, which will furnish music for the July 4th celebration in 1911!” I have added to the post above.