Bonner County History - Jan. 23, 2025
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
Jan. 23, 1975 – CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP
Sandpoint Jaycees will hold its annual Christmas tree pickup drive Saturday. The drive will cover the entire city. Citizens should place their trees near the curb to be picked up by the Jaycees for disposal.
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ARTHURS WINS!
It took over four years of hard work and a few dog changes, but Dr. Jim Arthurs finally won a dogsled race. Competing in the seven-dog division, Arthurs posted a three and one-half minute margin over his nearest opponent in two days of racing at Vernon, B.C. His prize for first place out of 14 entrants was a $125 cash award and a trophy. “It sure feels good to win one after all this time,” said Arthurs.
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RECYCLE ALUMINUM AT EASY RETURNS
Easy Returns, at 502 Cedar in the old P & E warehouse, is Sandpoint’s new recycling center. Owner Steve Klatt is set up to handle all aluminum containers and Coors (only) bottles. Although only Easy Returns is open now, Steve has other plans for the big warehouse. A second-hand store called Second Hand Rose will open in two weeks, and next spring, Steve plans to organize classes in subjects such as leather repair, electrical wiring, auto repair, indoor and outdoor gardening, and simple carpentry, to be taught by local professionals. He would also like to make workshop space available for those who do not have the space in their homes. “This building will keep me pretty busy,” mused Steve.
75 Years Ago
Sandpoint News-Bulletin
Jan. 23, 1950 – KSPT SERVED PUBLIC WELL
Public service rendered by radio station KSPT during the height of Friday’s blizzard has drawn many compliments. The station made its facilities available to anyone with relatives they were worried about, and many were given comfort when a glad announcement came over the air that their loved ones were safe. KSPT broadcast the city officials’ notice of a state of emergency during the height of the storm, notifying all to keep off the streets, and also kept parents of school children advised daily as to the situation. No classes were held all week.
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SOME WINTERS WERE WORSE
Bonner county’s plowing bill to date is $10,000 and 27,500 cubic yards of snow were hauled from Sandpoint’s business district in the recent storm. But records show there have been worse winters, and this year’s storm stirred up the memories of many old-timers. Harry Nesbitt recalls the winter of 1895 as unusually severe; one reason is that he cut off two toes while making poles in the timber out of Kootenai. Mrs. Katie Atleson, 601½ Sixth, recalls the deep snows in 1905, when she lived at what is now Dover, which her parents [George and Delia Holton] first homesteaded. On Jan. 27, 1905, her father left Dover with a team and sled for Sandpoint to get Dr. O.F. Page. The snow was so deep, it took eight hours to negotiate a one-way trip from Dover to Sandpoint along the old river front road.
For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.