|
Troy
was originally known as Huff's Gulch. In 1890 John P. Vollmer was
instrumental in extending the Spokane & Palouse Railway (later the
Northern Pacific) to Huff's Gulch from Moscow as a start toward completion
of its line to Lewiston. After establishing a general merchandise
store and a large livery stable, he had the town renamed after himself.
It was incorporated as Vollmer in 1892. As a businessman Vollmer was very
successful, amassing large land holdings and great wealth. But in
1897 the citizens rebelled against having their village named after a man
who owned more than 32,000 acres of land, much of it gained by foreclosing
on bank loans to farmers. A Greek railroad worker suggested "Troy,"
the name of "the most illustrious city in the world" and backed it with an
offer of a drink of whiskey for everyone who would vote to change the
name. "Troy" received 29 votes; "Vollmer", 9. In the early
1900's, Troy had a bank, a flour mill, a general store, two meat markets,
three saloons, several sawmills, one dentist, and a weekly newspaper. |
