Sisters!

WALLACE – In an effort to help grow each other’s groups and an event they are both directly tied to, the Wallace Chamber of Commerce and the Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County have decided to become sister chambers.

While the official joint proclamation was signed on Aug. 22 at the BCCOC annual banquet in Anaheim, California, the relationship between these two community driven organizations was cemented in early June when Wallace held host to the Buffalo Soldiers Iron Riders event.

The unique event recognizes the efforts of 20 black soldiers of the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Regiment that rode 1,900-miles on bicycles from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri over 118 years ago.

In 1897, the Army was exploring different methods of moving troops in battle, something faster than marching and less expensive than horses. Their possible alternative? Bicycles.

Nicknamed the Iron Riders for both the heavy one speed cycles they pedaled and their iron hard constitutions, the intrepid group made the 3,000 mile trip in six weeks, battling poor roads, every kind of weather condition, meager rations and prejudice. They received heroes welcomes and national acclaim when they arrived in St. Louis.

To commemorate the historic ride, the Iron Rider Reenactors (themselves all Vietnam vets), rode the Route of the Hiawatha on replicas of the 19th Century era one speed bikes on June 7-8, 2019.

Following the warm welcome the reenactors received during their time in the Silver Valley, Wallace Chamber Coordinator Dave Copelan and BCCOC President Bobby McDonald got the wheels turning on linking their two organizations.

“We are both pleased and honored to be associated with the Historic Wallace Chamber,” McDonald said. “We hope this friendship agreement between our Chambers will lead to ever more business and cultural contacts between our organizations.”

McDonald, a Vietnam Vet whose father and uncles served in segregated African American units in World War II, is also a reenactor with the Iron Riders and was present last June.

According to a line in the official proclamation, “the purpose of this relationship is to contribute to the development of both chambers and to the peace of the world through the exchange of business, educational, historical and cultural programs, trade and economic development and individual learning and sharing of different lifestyles and environments.”

After the banquet in California, Copelan expressed his appreciation for the BCCOC.

“It was a great event,” he said. “Wallace and North Idaho received some priceless exposure through the Black Chamber’s efforts. They are doing a magnificent job to spread the story of the beauty, history and hospitality of our area.”

Both the Route of the Hiawatha and the town of Wallace have strong connections to Buffalo Soldiers in their history.

Buffalo Soldiers from Fort Missoula and later Fort Wright in Spokane participated in restoring order in Wallace during the 1890s mining wars, as well as help rescue townsfolk from the Great Fire of 1910.

There are several historical markers about the Buffalo Soldiers contributions in fighting that fire along the Route of the Hiawatha. In Wallace, the town’s Mining and Depot Museums have exhibits highlighting the Buffalo Soldiers service in the community.

Copelan is hopeful that the two sister chambers can come together and raise even more awareness about the rich history of the area.

“We will work together to promote the contributions the buffalo soldiers did in this part of America.”

For more details, contact the Historic Wallace Chamber of Commerce at 208-753-7151 (director@wallaceidahochamber.com) or visit the Wallace Chamber Facebook Page or its website wallaceidahochamber.com.