Near Molson in Okanogan County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
Sidley B.C. 1895-1912
Town Site
Photographed by Doreen Thomson, June 16, 2013
1. Sidley B.C. 1895-1912 Marker
Richard G. Sidley Territorial Police and Customs Collector settled here in 1889. He started an international town, general store, saloon, livery barn, and black smiths shop. He served as postmaster and kept an eye out for horse thieves. Dominion Day was celebrated here by everyone, some said “The boundary line did not make much difference in those days”. But times changed and bootlegging tightened it up about 1916. Porter Brothers Lumber Mill also straddled the US Canadian boundary. Last to close was the post office Sept 30, 1912. Sidley was well liked and settled many early day disputes. He died here in 1922.
Harry A. Sherling
Historian - Old Molson
Erected by Okanogan County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 48° 59.988′ N, 119° 15.466′ W. Marker is near Molson, Washington, in Okanogan County. It is on 9 Mile Road (County Route 4777), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oroville WA 98844, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Okanogan Highlands. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Cascade Range, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 14 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Molson School (approx. 2.9 miles away); The Story of Molson
this page online
More about this marker. The 9 Mile Road is on the US side of the Canada/US Border. Sidley straddled the border between British Columbia and Washington State.
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 2017
2. Sidley B.C. 1895-1912 Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2020, by Doreen Thomson of Calgary, Alberta Canada. This page has been viewed 1,348 times since then and 151 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 18, 2020, by Doreen Thomson of Calgary, Alberta Canada. 2. submitted on April 4, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
