Bonner County History - Sept. 1, 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

Sept. 1, 1974 – ANTIQUE STORE OPENS

A new place to buy old things has opened in Sandpoint, called Attic to Cellar Antiques. The shop, at 211 Pine, is owned by Dick and Betsy Foster of Seattle, who plan to make Sandpoint their home. Attic to Cellar, featuring early American antiques, will be open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

•••

HOW SANDPOINT GOT ITS NAME

The Northern Pacific railroad came through this area in 1882, bringing with it the timber people from Wisconsin and Michigan. Sandpoint was originally called Pend d’Oreille but was known on the railroad line as Sand Point [or “The Point”], as it was the point on the road whence the N.P. got their sand. Spur lines ran out on the beach where they hauled sand away by the train load. Judge Whitaker went to Washington, D.C., and was instrumental in halting the N.P. from hauling away the rest of the beach sand. The Jan. 3, 1894, Spokesman-Review stated, “The post office department has changed the name of the post office from Pend d’Oreille to Sandpoint” (using a small “p” for point and making it one word). 

•••

BARBARA LAGROU IS STUDENT TEACHER

Barbara Lagrou, a Sandpoint student at Eastern Washington State College majoring in mathematics, is assigned to student teaching at East Valley Otis Orchards Elementary, Spokane Valley. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lagrou, 604 S. Ella.

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Sept. 1, 1949 – SWITCHBOARD ENLARGED

To handle a phenomenal increase in business, three new sections were added to the Sandpoint switchboard of the Interstate Telephone company. In June 1940, there were 763 telephones connected at Sandpoint; on June 30, 1949, there were 1263. The “voices” at the end of the line at the Sandpoint office are Miss Doris Woodard, Mrs. Mary Ellen Evans, Miss Corrine Rheinschmidt, Mrs. James Brockway and Mrs. Vela Sletager, chief operator. 

•••

ENTERTAINS WITH SLUMBER PARTY

Miss Irene West entertained two groups of friends with slumber parties at her home on Erie Aug. 26 and 27. Arriving at 6 o’clock in the evening the girls played games, sang songs and told stories far into the night. The hostess served evening refreshments and breakfast. Guests included the Misses Jo Ellen Walker, Penny Nelson, Sonya Bond, Gail Waring, Karen Becker, Loyce Hall and Carol Ann Brunsell. 

•••

CITY IN BRIEF

Mrs. Paul Delamarter, son Ralph, and daughter Laura, returned Saturday from Spokane, where they had spent several days visiting relatives. 

Watch for the opening date of Flo’s Beauty and Slenderizing salon.

Miss Virginia Sulzle of Glengary was at the Greyhound bus depot Monday to bid goodbye to her house guest, Miss Mariana Holgren, who spent a week with her and was returning home to Spokane.

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