Close-knit community ensured a great life

(When you hear the name Ernie Bartelson, you think of the Tam O’Shanter, or Tervan, that is located on Cedar Street in Sandpoint. Ernie and his wife, Opal, ran the little bar for many years. Not too long before his death, Erik Daarstad and I asked Ernie how many “watering holes” there were in Sandpoint during the World War II era. Here is his story, in his own words, about the bars of the Sandpoint area.)

“I moved here with my wife, Opal, in 1943 from Seattle. I was born and raised in Bothell, Wash. Opal was born and raised here in Sandpoint and we raised our family right here.

“At first, I went into the logging business as an independent logger and truck driver but eventually I went into the bars and started bar tending. I tended bar until 1976 when I retired.

“It’s been a great life and I enjoyed my work. Of course, we had lots of ups and downs and that comes with life. I just can’t say enough about the people that were here in Sandpoint at that time. There are still wonderful people here, don’t get me wrong, but the people then were so much different. They were a lot closer — more helpful. We just had a lot of friends and we had a great life, we really did.

“Over the years, of course, lots of things have changed and that includes the bars. Back then, I think there were about twenty-three bars in Sandpoint. We can start down on

Pine Street and right across the street on First Street, the Veterans of Foreign Wars group had a bar in that building. Then you just came up a few doors and there was the Pioneer Bar and you came up a few doors more and across the street was Hayworth’s Bakery, and then there was the American Legion.

“Next to that was the Eagle’s Bar. And then just a few steps further was the Carlson’s Bar — a man named, Carlson, and his son, Bob, ran it.

“There was the Cozy Bar and that was a real nice little bar. It was rather dark in there; it had a little band, and it was a cuddly little place. And then next to that was the old Eagles which was right on the alley next to the Panida Theater - it was a working man’s bar and they had poker games in there. Then you went up a little further and there was the Kamloops Bar. (Now the Panida’s Little Theater.)

“Then we come clear on around the corner to Cedar Street and we run onto what was originally called Harry’s. It was changed to the Cabinet Gorge Tavern when Sid Johnson bought it during the time Cabinet Gorge Dam was being constructed.

“Then you come up the street a little further and run into the old hotel that had the Tap Room. It was run by two gentlemen by the name of Virgil Goodwin and Dan Deshon, and the bartender’s name was Hallie Trissel. Then across the street was the Tam O’Shanter and on down the street was the Kaniksu Bar run by Bill Garvey. It was a nice bar and he had cabins for rent and it had an eating place.

“You go on down Cedar to the Cheerio and to me that was The Bar in Sandpoint. Then you go around the corner and on down on First Street and you come to the Diamond — it was the old Diamond, which is now the 219. Leonard Haugse had a bar in the back of the Pastime and he also had poker tables.

“Other Sandpoint bars were, Ken’s Bar, the City Club, Hanson’s, Wick’s, and the Elks Club on 2nd Avenue. Just outside of town could be found Peterson’s Bar, Millie’s Place, the Dover Tavern, Fairview Club, the Plantation, Ma Jukich’s, and the Roundup.

I may have left out a few but that just about takes care of it. We had a lot of bars in town but everybody made a living.”