Whitaker home lives on in community's memories

This is a story of a house that today is just a memory. It was located at 410 Railroad Avenue in Sandpoint, Idaho. It proudly stood overlooking Lake Pend d’Oreille when Sandpoint was just a village on the railroad side of Sand Creek.

From its porch it had seen numerous Indians camping on the point, playing the stick game, swimming and holding their pow-wows.

The house belonged to Will and Jennie Whitaker who moved to the small village of Sandpoint from Helena, Mont., in 1898. They brought with them their dreams of the future and their only child, Helena Claire, who was 7-years-old. These people exemplify the spirit of the pioneers that contributed so much to this area.

Will Whitaker was born near Liverpool, England in 1852 and immigrated to the United States in 1869. On Nov. 6, 1878, he married Jennie Cannon of Newburg, New York.

In 1898 Will moved his family to Sandpoint and he became cashier at the Sandpoint Mercantile Company. He became the first elected chairman of the board of trustees when the village of Sandpoint was incorporated.

In 1903, he established the first bank in Sandpoint, the Traders Bank, and became cashier and manager. The bank was first located on the east side of Sand Creek and later moved to where the Larson’s store is today.

Jennie Whitaker loved her house on the lake and when many of her friends moved to the other side of the creek she refused to leave her home.

When running water became available Jennie had the first bath tub and sink in the area installed.

Helena Claire Whitaker grew up in the old home near the railroad and it was the scene of her marriage to Clem Gorsline in April 1913.

In March 1973, Claire Gorsline shared some of her memories of the old home place.

“When the Indians camped on the lakeshore below our house,” she recalled. “I played with a small Indian boy and since we couldn’t understand one another, we used sign language.”

She remembered, “A Chinaman rowed from Hope to bring fresh vegetables in two baskets, one at each end of a pole, across his shoulders.”

“In spite of inconveniences we had a happy time and how could it be otherwise with a beautiful lake and country to enjoy.”

The old building escaped the fires that had burned much of the village of Sandpoint on numerous occasions. It had escaped many floods and snowstorms but its end came in November 1999. Piece by piece the home of these pioneers was torn down. This legacy that once stood tall on the lake has disappeared to make room for condominiums.

The house of Will and Jennie Whitaker was unique because it was part of the roots of what is now Sandpoint. It is important to remember because it was one of the last buildings that date back to the birth of our town.

With all the change, it is only fitting that an attempt be made to remember our history, our foundation.