Pend Oreille Lodge filled lives with warmth, special memories

Just a few days ago, I was thinking about the time that buildings looked like real buildings instead of concrete bee hives or massive territorial prisons. Almost every town had nearby a place, or places, that had warmth and character that welcomed locals and visitors alike. The Sandpoint area is no exception for a short drive, or boat ride, took many to a show place along the banks of Pend Oreille Lake. It was there that one found the beautiful Pend Oreille Lodge. The lodge has passed from the pages of history but many people still remember the good times they had at this special place by the lake.

The lodge was located on Contest Point two miles across the lake from Sandpoint. James (Jim) Moore and Delbert (Dee) Haynes built it in 1947, just after World War II. It was constructed of native rock and cedar and could be reached by a two-mile boat ride or a six-mile trip along a narrow, winding road.

Room rates were $10 in the luxurious lodge and gourmet meals, such as fresh salmon steak, cost $2.25. The Pend Oreille Lodge operated until 1949. It was then purchased by the Society of Jesus to be used as a summer retreat for theological students. The lodge on the lake reopened in December 1965 and offered furnished rooms and dormitory accommodations for skiers. James Veilleux, manager of the lodge, stated, "… it has turned essentially into a dinner and supper club type." It was in March 1968 that fire totally destroyed the grand old lodge.

A few years ago, I talked to some people that shared their memories of the Pend Oreille Lodge and I would like to share them with you:

Annabelle Riffle said, "I was working at the Edgewater at the time of the fire and I saw the lodge burning all the way across the lake."

Bob Nelson recalled, "We used to go out there by boat for dinner. Sometime people who went by boat could not return because of a storm on the lake and they had to spend the night at the lodge."

Jim Parsons Jr. remembered, "I worked there opening night in the kitchen with head chef Katie Pierce. We traveled back and forth to work in wooden boats powered by a 71/2 hp Scott Atwater outboard motor. A great lodge built before its time."

Edwin Nurmi said, "I remember going to a Shrine Club dinner at the lodge soon after it was built. A boat took us from the City Docks to the lodge."

Lana Kay Hanson played piano with a group that performed at the lodge. "It was an amazing building and I remember the beautiful cedar wood. They did not use nails but it was put together by wooden pegs. The fireplace in the lobby was large enough to walk in. The view from the lodge was incredible and especially from the cupola. We had played there on Saturday night and left most of our instruments and equipment and it all burned when the lodge burned down."