Construction begins on Buckhorn Inn
100 Years Ago — 1918
Meeting called
Two organizers for the American Federation of labor called a meeting of timber workers and mill men at Wright’s Hall and made a successful effort to form a local branch of the International Timber Workers Association.
90 Years Ago — 1928
Gypsies not wanted in town
A roving band of gypsies of 40 men, women and children were hurried out of Priest River Wednesday evening by city authorities after they arrived in town and started scattering into the business and residential districts. They were escorted to the river bridge by John Specht, village marshal, and told to keep moving.
80 Years Ago — 1938
Warring on trees
The globe locust trees which were set out this spring in the parking on the north and east of city hall are all growing nicely in spite of the fact that several have been slashed by unthinking persons.
70 Years Ago — 1948
New store started on new highway
Construction was started Monday on the new Nordman Cash and Carry and Buckhorn Inn at Nordman by owners Leo Bruner and Eugene Tanner. The building will be located on the new highway now being finished.
60 Years Ago — 1958
Mill operator dies
Funeral services for Harry A. Millard, 85, who died Monday at the Newport, Wash., hospital will be held in Coeur d’Alene Thursday. Born in Fond du Lac, Wis., Mr. Millard came to Idaho in 1901.
Mr. Millard owned and operated several sawmills in northern Idaho, most recently until his death, a mill at Nordman with his sons.
50 Years Ago — 1968
Forest fire man-caused
Mop-up crews completed work Tuesday on a man-caused 12-acre fire on the middle fork of East River. The blaze was reported to the Priest Lake Timber Protective Association as 8 a.m. Saturday and was under control by 9:30 that evening. Fire danger in the Priest Lake District is nearing the high point now. Percentage of man-caused fires has been higher this year than in the past, according to Tom Kinner, fire warden of the P.L.T.P.A.
40 Years Ago — 1978
Shipman’s supporting star visits at Lion Head
Dorothy Winslow Overmyer and family members spent three days at Lion Head State Park on July 24. The visit marked Dorothy’s first visit to Mosquito Bay since co-starring with Nell Shipman in the two-reel silent movie thriller, “Light on Lookout.” The movie was shown in Priest River and Spokane in early 1924, but Dot said she never got to see herself in the film.
30 Years Ago — 1988
Grizzly killed on reservation
A resident of the Kalispel Indian Reservation shot a grizzly bear near his house Monday afternoon. Lloyd Finley said the bear walked through his brother’s yard into his yard about 5:30 p.m. while his three children were playing outside and his grandmother was also outside sitting on the deck. The incident is now being reviewed by the U.S. Attorney’s office.
20 Years Ago — 1998
Settlement School nominated for National Register
Sandpoint historian Nancy Renk recently completed a NR nomination for the former Settlement School building, located about five miles east of Priest River. It is the only public building left from the Italian settlement that flourished as a distinct ethnic community from the 1890s into the 1950s.
10 Years Ago — 2008
JD Lumber announces closure
Just like a tremor rippling through California after an earthquake, the news of JD Lumber closing spread quickly throughout Priest River and hit residents hard. The fact was confirmed by Dave Slaughter Monday. The cease operations of the mill will be effective sometime in September.
Acknowledging continuing poor market for finished lumber, JD officials accepted an offer from Riley Creek Lumber to purchase the mill. Over 200 people are employed at the mill.