“Our Little Corner of the Valley” presentation on Jan. 30

Bud Iverson (above) grew up in this home on West Main Street, one of the Everson homes commissioned to be built by his father. “My real name is Earl Iverson, but everyone always called me Bud,” he said. Photo by Brita Adkinson

Bud Iverson’s presentation at the Everson Library will include historic pictures of street scenes from Everson including this photo of the old post office and of the Grell’s Opera House. Historical photos courtesy of Mary Miller, Everson Library

Bud Iverson’s presentation at the Everson Library will include historic pictures of street scenes from Everson including this photo of the old post office and of the Grell’s Opera House. Historical photos courtesy of Mary Miller, Everson Library

by Brita Adkinson
EVERSON – The history of Everson, from its early beginnings in the 1800s, will be told in stories along with a slide show, on Saturday, Jan. 30 at the Everson McBeath Public Library.
Lifelong resident Bud Iverson, 92, will show the slides and share his personal memories. The free show, titled “Our Little Corner of the Valley,” will feature photos of farms, homes, street scenes and local families and individuals who lived in and around Everson, as well as pictures from festivals and other local events.
The slideshow was put together some years ago by a group of senior citizens in Everson. The accompanying tape features stories about the way of life in past years told by Verna Walker, a senior citizen who since passed away, and also stories told by other locals. A discussion will follow the slide show, and Iverson, who has a wealth of unique stories and memories to share, will answer questions about local history.
“My Dad’s uncle, Ever Iverson, left Norway in 1868 and came over here,” Iverson said, adding he “squatted” on 160 acres of land for some years. The general area was home to the Nooksack Tribe.
Around 1871, Ever Iverson obtained the legal rights to the land. He laid out streets and built homes, creating the township that became Everson.
“My Dad [Helmer Iverson] was living in Norway when he was a kid,” Iverson continued. “When he was 10 years old, he also wanted to go to America.” His father went to work on fishing vessels at Lofoten, an archipelago in the arctic north of Norway. At age 16, he had saved enough money, and journeyed on his own to America, joining his uncle in Everson. “I guess, in those days, the kids were tough!” Iverson mused.
From these beginnings, the  Iverson family, along with other pioneers, built farm houses, businesses and churches, as well as a bridge across the Nooksack River.
“My Dad had someone build the home where I grew up,” Iverson shared. “That home is just a few hundred feet from my present home,” he chuckled, adding “I didn’t move very far!” Both homes are located on West Main Street.
On that street, several families, descendants of the first Iverson family, built their homes and lived for many years. Bud Iverson is the youngest of Helmer Iverson’s seven children.
“When I was a kid, there were only 300 people in Everson,” Iverson said, “and whenever something happened, everyone knew about it.” He added, “There were all sorts of characters here!”
In the old days, locals would gather at a popular tavern in town and enjoy a drink together. “We thought it was funny,” Iverson said with a smile, “that the Templars’ Society was located right above the tavern, and they were against drinking!”
At home, the family never spoke Norwegian, Iverson noted, only English, because they said, “We are now Americans.”
Bud Iverson began his career in farming, like many other family members. Later on, he worked for Everson Farm Equipment and was a company salesman for approximately 30 years. Iverson’s wife passed away five years ago, after 61 years of marriage. Of their two daughters, one lives in Everson and the other in Oregon. While many of his friends have passed away, Iverson said he enjoys some good friends and a number of relatives living locally.

Lifelong resident Bud Iverson will share a slide show of early Everson titled “Our Little Corner of the Valley” on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. at the Everson McBeath Community Library, 104 Kirsch Dr. The program includes the taped voices of Everson seniors. All welcome to this free event. Free. Call 966-5100 for more information.