Flathead County sprawls across 5,000+ acres and reaches up to the far north into Canada. Polegbridge is not what you would call a bustling metropolis; it is known for its laid-back lifestyle, log cabins, great fishing, and a (once secret) entry to Glacier National Park. Most notably, it's the home of the Polegridge Mercantile. Polebridge Mercantile is a general store and bakery that has been serving the North Fork community for over 100 years. The Merc is best known for its baked goodies, coffee, fresh-baked bread, and signature pizzas to name, as well as kind, welcoming service.
County Commissioner Brad Abell, a longtime resident of Flathead County, has made the trip many times up the North Fork Road and stopped by the Mercantile for pastries, (or so we've been told). During this trip, he picked up the new copy of 'The History of the Polebridge Mercantile,' hot off the presses. And signed by the author Lois E. Walker, 'Warm greetings from the North Fork!' Brad was excited to read about the long history of the building, each of the different owners and their families for more than a century. It chronicles the settling of the area to the current owners through photos and stories.
You know when it's spiral-bound, it was created and written from love. For those of us who treasure our history or want to learn more about how the West was settled and then developed, this is a treasure.
Next time you stop by the Mercantile for a goodie, ask for your very own copy of the History of the Polebridge Mercantile, and see if you can find Lois to give you 'Warm greetings!'