Bonner County History - Feb. 14, 2022
Brought to you by the
Bonner County Historical
Society and Museum
611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864
208-263-2344
50 Years Ago
Sandpoint News-Bulletin
Feb. 14, 1973 — DAM’S 20TH BIRTHDAY
The job that couldn’t be done, but was – Cabinet Gorge hydroelectric project on the Clark Fork River – celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Located seven miles east of Clark Fork, and a half mile west of the Montana state line, the reservoir provides storage for 42,780 acre-feet of useable water. One of the most dangerous construction projects in the history of hydroelectric developments in the Pacific Northwest, construction of the Cabinet Gorge power plant was a spectacular accomplishment. In Sept. 1952, just 21 months after construction began, WWP threw the switch on the first of four 50,000 kilowatt generators at Cabinet Gorge. The fourth generator went into service in August, 1953.
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GUN CLUB NAMES MARTIN PRESIDENT
Bill Martin was elected president of Sandpoint Gun Club for 1973 with Leigh Standish named vice president and Pete Dockins secretary-treasurer. Elected to the board of directors were Dwight Smith, Dick Whittaker, Bill Anderson, Bob Bottcher, Harlan Walker, Mickie Dockins and Mary Lambert.
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U OF I STUDENTS PRACTICE TEACH
U of I College of Education students from Bonner County involved in nine weeks of actual classroom teaching in various towns throughout Idaho include Lew Speelmon, Clark Fork, at Coeur d’Alene High School; Burnell Lang, Kootenai, Sandpoint High School; and Mrs. Burnell Lang (nee Donna Brown), Farmin Elementary School in Sandpoint.
100 Years Ago
Northern Idaho News
Feb. 14, 1923 — FARMERS PROTEST
Notwithstanding the severe weather, a delegation of 25 farmers appeared before the board of county commissioners to protest the decision to discontinue the county agent and request a reconsideration of their decision. The board did not vote on the matter, but laid it aside for future consideration.
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SAGE OF SANDPOINT CALLED BY DEATH
Will F. Whitaker passed into his final rest Saturday at his home on Railroad avenue. Due to extremely severe weather, his funeral was postponed yesterday and will be held tomorrow at the Presbyterian church. Born near Liverpool, England 70 years ago, Mr. Whitaker was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Cannon in 1878; they came to Sandpoint in 1898. He was prominently identified with the development of the city; having much to do with the shaping of commercial and civic affairs at a time when the history of Sandpoint was in the making. He was chairman of the first village board of Sandpoint, elected in 1901 and serving for six years. He was clerk of the school board from 1901 to 1920. In 1916, he was elected to the probate judgeship. Mr. Whitaker served Bonner county as its second state senator in 1911. Public officials, businessmen and people in private life always sought his counsel. This part in life, which he so freely filled, surely won for him the distinction as the Sage of Sandpoint.
For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.