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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

March 8, 1968 — BLAZE LEVELS LODGE

A landmark and a symbol of Lake Pend Oreille, the Pend d’Oreille Lodge on Contest Point, was leveled by fire in an hour at dusk Monday.

The flare of the fire as it consumed the rambling structure drew many spectators to the city beach to watch across several miles of water. Others drove to the scene to get a closer view.

Volunteers from Northside Fire Assn. fought the blaze hopelessly as it was too far along and too big by the time it was discovered. They were there because under an old interpretation of the laws, the lodge was made a portion of the Village of Ponderay which is on the far side of the lake.

The fire was discovered about 5:30 p.m. when Mr. and Mrs. Ed Hawkins returned from Sandpoint to find the building enveloped in smoke. Hawkins said he saw no chance to get inside the building. The Hawkinses lost all their personal belongings and clothing they had brought from Hope when they moved in several weeks ago to manage the lodge.

The lodge, completed in 1947, featured native cedar throughout.

•••

NEW COOLER AT GROCERY STORE

Lo-Price Superette, located on First Ave. at Church, has installed a refrigerated vegetable display cooler, according to owners, Earl and Charles Bohrn. The brothers express their appreciation to their customers for putting up with the inconvenience during the installation.

100 Years Ago

Pend d’Oreille Review

March 8, 1918 — HIGH SCHOOL NOTES

Sandpoint’s largest service flag was presented to the high school Friday by the junior class. The flag is five feet by eight feet and has 55 stars.

•••

FIRST OF HUMBIRD CARS ARRIVE

Steam heated, electrically lighted diners, sleeping cars, club and bath cars have been introduced to lumberjacks of northern Idaho.

Delivery of the first 11 cars of a 36 car order has been made to the Humbird Lumber co. They represent a completely equipped camp, ready for instant removal to any point reached by rails.

The cars are 12 x 60 feet. Sleeping cars have double deck, single steel beds, mattresses and pillows. Dining cars include separate sleeping quarters for the cooks and flunkeys who are furnished white outfits for work. Club cars have writing desks, comfortable seats and reading materials; bath cars have showers and tub baths.

•••

CITY BREVITIES

Sandpoint again became a port of entry when the ice blockade which had kept the Northern Navigation company’s boats out from the city dock for a few weeks was removed Tuesday. The boats were kept from making the Sandpoint dock on two occasions this winter for brief intervals but navigation was open most of the winter.

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