Bungalows tell Sandpoint's history

SANDPOINT — Commercial codes often claim the driver’s seat in historic preservation efforts while “the home,” which constitutes many downtown structures, takes the back seat.

In Sandpoint, building height codes, construction materials and monitoring the downtown core are often considered at the epicenter of architectural historical preservation. However, the Arts, Culture and Historical Preservation Commission has identified a need for education regarding historical integrity in neighborhoods as well. While preservation can be challenging to monitor in residential areas, the commision can still educate.

Recently, commissioners of the ACHPC have been devoting time to collecting research in order to assemble their new property design manuals — or “pattern book series” — Elle Susnis, chair of the ACHPC, said.

Each book will identify an architectural style of historical homes. The contents will describe details and offer photos of homes in Sandpoint that fall under different style categories. These resources will be available online and also offered to those considering demolishing or altering historical homes. The Planning and Zoning Commission will have access to the pattern books, which they can distribute to applicants looking to make changes to their properties. 

After researching Sandpoint’s neighborhood historical surveys, the bungalow was determined to be the most prevalent house type. This discovery paved the way for creation of the Bungalow Pattern Book, the first of the series.  

“We have all these historic bungalows from the early part of last century that are beautiful, quaint and part of our historical vernacular,” Susnis said. “We want to give people tools that help them learn about their little historic houses and really want to take pride and make them the best that they can be. That was our idea behind the pattern book.”

In collaboration with the Bonner County Historical Museum and the city planning department, the commission utilized individual skills to create graphics, gather history and take photographs that contributed to the document. The end product was primarily put together by volunteers, Susnis said. The contents include features of the bungalow style, substyles found in the area, benefits of the style and stories of historical ties.

The bungalow, which first took root in Europe, made its way to America during the late 1800s, according to the pattern book. Found in nearly every Sandpoint neighborhood, the structure leaves behind memories and character from past eras. 

Bungalows can be recognized for their decorative brackets, porch columns, wide eaves, covered porches — often with visible rafter tails — flared or tapered elements such as columns or window trims, and windows with narrow division of light.

Outside, the usually one-story structure boasts a use of paint and texture to highlight details, natural materials indigenous to the area, a low-pitched roof and a welcoming entry. 

Inside a bungalow-style home, foyers, stained glass details and custom features like window seats are common. 

“In the early part of the 1900s, the bungalow style was well suited for the type of housing required for workers of lumber mills in North Idaho with its emphasis on informal living, utility and simplicity,” the pattern book said. 

The ACHP commission also identified what it calls the “bungalow attributes six pack,” which includes a gabled roof, eaves, cladding, front facing windows, a covered front porch and contrasting trim.

Susnis said they have been supporting the Planning and Zoning Commision on a similar vein as they alter codes for accessory dwelling units. 

“They ask for support from our commission on design traits that make a building compatible with a main structure and the neighborhood at large,” she said.  

All but one of the six features — contrasting trim — made it into coding  recommendations they will be taking to Sandpoint City Council in the future. 

The book also features stories of Sandpoint families and their ties to the bungalow. For example, the McFarland family — who would go on to found the L.D. McFarland Company, which deals exclusively with cedar poles — lived in a bungalow on Second Avenue. Their company still operates off Baldy Mountain Road today. 

Ones F. Page, who moved to Sandpoint in 1900 following an acrobatic career in the Ringling Brothers Circus, lived in a bungalow next door to a hospital he built on Sand Creek. Page was Sandpoint’s first mayor and was elected to the State Senate twice.

“Bungalows are versatile, easy-to-care-for homes that have provided Sandpoint families a comforting place to rest at the end of the day,” the pattern book states.  

The final page of the document is titled, “preserve, rehabilitate, or duplicate a bungalow?” This section lists modern material suggestions like wood siding, brick veneer or faux stone. It also references the benefits of the style and offers tips and tricks when considering the future of a bungalow-style home. 

As the commission moves forward, they will be considering other styles like Queen Anne and Rancher-style homes for the next pattern book. 

“The hope is that this will be the first of many no-cost tools offered by the city to citizens who are interested in preserving our rich community culture,” Susnis said.