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From the archives of the

Bonner County History Museum

611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, ID. 83864

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Sept. 25, 1966 - LAKE FEES RAISED

A committee of Priest Lake property tenants is engaged in a study of appeal procedures to mitigate the effect of the Forest Service proposal to sharply increase the annual lease fee of lakeshore homesites. Some 130 summer home residents of the west shores and islands attended the meeting, during which tempers flared.

Harold Anderson, Kaniksu supervisor, said the properties have been appraised at their fair market price which is being used to establish the new fee schedule. Dan Massing, Kaniksu recreation officer, explained that properties would be assessed under a new schedule, figuring at 5 percent of fair market value. The rate does not apply to buildings and other improvements including docks. This is the first time in 10 years there has been a reappraisal of government owned land in the Kaniksu National Forests.

Under the new fee schedule, the maximum annual lease fee could jump from the present fee of $57 to a maximum of $270. The amount of lake frontage, beach conditions (fair to excellent) and accessibility are factors in fee assessments. Length of tenancy is not a factor in determining the new fees. Twenty-five percent of rental fees are returned to this county for schools and roads.

100 Years Ago

Pend d’Oreille Review

Sept. 25, 1916 – NO FIRES THIS YEAR

The season for forest fires, which ended Sept. 15, has been a remarkable one as being freer from damaging fires in the Pend d’Oreille district, than has been known for some years, the total loss for the season not reaching $100.

•••

SEATTLE MAN BUYS WHISKEY ROCK

The famous Whiskey Rock place comprising Whiskey Rock Bay and two adjoining bays and consisting of about 100 acres, was sold yesterday to wealthy Seattle banker John A. Murray. For years a landmark on the lake and perhaps the choicest piece of realty property in the entire waterfront, it lays in the forest reserve and was the homestead of Ed Gross. The land-locked harbor which none of the storms ever enter has been for years a safe place to put in for the lake craft. The price is reported at about $100 an acre.

•••

EXPENSIVE ROOF

Workmen are this week engaged in laying the tile roof on the Northern Pacific depot. As these tiles are said to be worth $1.00 each, and it requires approximately 6400 to cover the depot, it can be readily seen that the roof is not the least expensive portion of the beautiful new structure.

•••

PURCHASED A PARSONAGE

The Presbyterian society has purchased the property adjoining its church from C.A. Bayless for $15000 [sic - NIN reports $1500] for use as a parsonage. It will be remodeled somewhat before Pastor Livingston takes up residency there.

For more information, visit the museum online at www.bonnercountyhistory.org.