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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. 14, 1967 — HELL FIVE MILES WIDE

The Sundance fire was five miles wide, and one concludes that Sept. 1, hell was five miles wide. Even six days after the terrible Sundance fire storm, the ground, rocks and charred logs still held heat.

A fire storm is no ordinary fire. In the case of the Sundance fire, the forest floor was consumed right down to the bare earth and rocks. Trees were burned to the very tips of their roots. Throughout the greater portion of the Sundance fire, the earth is stripped. The forest did not die peacefully. In places, the trees have all been sucked over in one direction by a great draft and in other places they were twisted into a great tangle.

The evidence testifies to the fury and fickleness of the fire. In the midst of charred tree trunks, stripped of all limbs, a few trees stand upward with their charred needles in place. Elsewhere, there are vales where the fire streaked overhead without ever touching a tree.

•••

ROBERT HANSON HOME FROM NAVY

Robert L. Hanson, SKSN, returned home recently following completion of a four-year enlistment in the Navy. He was assigned to the USS Canberra CAG 2, which had completed a tour of duty in Vietnam. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin R. (Bud) Hanson, 1201 Lake St.

100 Years Ago

Pend d’Oreille Review

Sept. 14, 1917 — CITY BREVITIES

The heavy rain Tuesday made an end to the forest fires.

Every county school boy and girl exhibiting at the Bonner county fair will be admitted free at the Gem theatre, according to Manager Gardner’s statement to the committee in charge of prizes.

•••

SHEDS FOR FARMERS’ TEAMS

A movement which has met with the hearty endorsement is that of erecting a large horse shed on the grounds adjacent to the city hall. These grounds have for a long time been used by farmers as a hitching place for their teams. They afford no protection, however, to the horses and rigs in case of rain. It has therefore been proposed that a roof about 20x160 feet be erected, the expense to be met by the merchants. The matter was brought before the city council Tuesday by Robert Coons, who asked for a permit to erect the structure. The permit was freely granted.

•••

BUSTER BROWN SCHOOL SHOES

Just arrived, Buster Brown School Shoes are the kind the Kids like to wear and parents like to buy.

They don’t “bust out.’” You know them. Good values; splendid wear.

Stocks of new Fall goods in every department are arriving daily. See the new displays.

—Kerr & Nead Department Store

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