Bonner County History - April 11, 2024

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

April 11, 1974 – BAPTISTS BREAK GROUND

Sandpoint First Baptist Church members met at their property on Michigan and Division, across from the high school, for a ground breaking ceremony on Sunday. The present location [Pine and Euclid] has become too small and new facilities are needed.

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KLUVER HEADS CREDIT UNION

At a special meeting of the Co-op Credit Union, officers were elected: Alvin Kluver, president; Chuck Schoonover, first vice president; Elton Anderson, 2nd vice president; Lowanna Erickson, secretary; Leona Irish, treasurer; Herb Offermann, publicity; Dean Eich, director. Winners of 1973’s membership contest were: Robert Kossman, high; Frances Van Rossum; John Gagin; Buster Bandy; Harley Gunter; Paul Perry; Joy Clark Breeden, Herb Offermann; Ernie Schoeffel; Dwayne Greenwood; Nick Ponack and Pearl Hoyt. There were 107 new members. 

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BCHS DECIDES AGAINST McFARLAND HOME

High costs will prevent Bonner County Historical Society from accepting the L.D. McFarland home on First [at Superior] as their new home, said society president Bud Moon. Although “the gift was most generous,” it would not be a good move for BCHS due to the costs involved in moving the home from its present site. He said it would cost about $80,000 to move the home and renovate it. “For that kind of money, we can build our own museum,” Moon said.

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

April 11, 1949 – EVERYBODY HAD FUN!

Walk-A-Stilt, the new product of the Sandpoint Manufacturing Co., got an enthusiastic reception here last Sunday when about 200 area youngsters and many of their parents gathered at First and Cedar to try out the stilts. Made largely of fir and larch, they have an aluminum footrest that will hold a 200-pound man. The plant, located on Washington between Pine and Church, can turn out 1,000 pairs of stilts, finished in brightly colored gloss enamel, every eight hours. Company president is William A. Tombari; vice president is Otho Turner; secretary-treasurer, J.L Balch. The stilts are now on sale through local merchants. Early this week, many could be seen in use in the residential area of the city, indicating they had met with juvenile favor. 

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PIONEER FAMILY MOVES

A.A. Oberg, manager of the J.C. Penney store, has purchased the L.G. Moon home at 824 Church and is moving in this week. Mr. and Mrs. Moon have permanently settled on their Bottle Bay acreage. 

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DUTY IN EUROPE FOR LOCAL ENLISTEES

Pvt. Bill Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Allen, and Pvt. Marvin Maertens, son of Frank Maertens, who recently enlisted in the army, have completed basic training at Ft. Ord, Calif. The young men left Friday, after visiting their parents for seven days on a delay en route to New York, where they will embark for Europe and their new assignment.

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