The main Stewart office, was the “Glacier Inn”,
operated by Lloyd Fillion,
or the “Sea Alaska” operated by Gary Benedict.
The “First Chance-Last Chance”
was operated by Lloyd for a few summers also.
This establishment was the only one in the world
that had a pay phone mounted in a Real old style Coffin.
This was done by Pat Coulter, “Mr. Stewart” for many years.
Pat found it in the attic of the bar.
It became a major tourist attraction while the bar was open.
BC Tel Security, and the coin phone big shots,
freaked when they seen it,
but Lloyd wouldn’t let them change it.
Lloyd would spike the beer, and whatever else you were drinking,
with Hyder Cider, 100 proof alcohol. It ruined a good beer!

Hyder is one of the last frontier towns,
not uncommon to see handguns on the hip in town.
There has been more than one shooting in the bars.
It is like going back 100 years into the Wild Wild West!
There has been shooting in the bar,
bullet holes are left as evidence.
There has been more than one person
die of alcohol poison, in the Bar!
In the old days, the Bar owners would know
when the State troopers were on their way,
since the Airlines or Ferry Service,
would always tip them off.
If they would have only seen what went on 
in the 60's and 70's, and probably earlier!!

Customs

Customs was in operation for a few years in the 70’s then disappeared.
It is back in business in late 1990’s.

Telephone Service Crossing Borders

Hyder is one of the few places, maybe only one,
Where the Telephone Central Office is in Canada,
and the Residences, and Telephones are in the United States.
There might be others, but not many.
Gen-Tel in Alaska would do the billing,
and we would do the installs and repairs,
for a certain portion in return.
 

Another Don McRobb Story

Some day I will write a book on my most unforgettable character
and that without a doubt, (not even a close second!),
is Don McRobb. (Splicer in early 60's, later Facilityman)
The following short story about Don, is based in Hyder Alaska.
According to Vern Fredericks, Don got a wee bit
tippy one night, so the guys put him in the bucket
of his Ladder Truck (parked out front no doubt)
and then raised the boom as high as it would go,
then they left him in there all night.  The bucket
on these machines would only be about 30" sq.
Rumour has it Don complained about a stiff neck
for days after!  I wonder why?
I also wonder how they got him in there?