The Museum of North Idaho announced the arrival of its latest book, "Historical Spirit Lake, Idaho and Vicinity."

Authors Keith and Jan Spencer spent more than 10 years researching and writing this book.

"The time, dedication, and accuracy they applied to this project is quickly evident and has clearly made it the definitive history of Spirit Lake," states the museum's announcement.

Keith's family has a long history in Spirit Lake. His father, Forrest "Skip" Spencer, arrived in the town in 1909 while it was still under construction. Skip attended Spirit Lake School and later served as an apprentice machinist in the Milwaukee Railroad division shops at Spirit Lake. When the shops closed in 1926, Skip went to work for the Panhandle Lumber Company, loading logs and, in the winter, maintaining the company's rolling stock. His mother, Olive Hansel, arrived in Spirit Lake around 1920 with a contract to teach third grade at Spirit Lake School. In 1926 she bought land and a cabin on the lake. A few years later she married Skip and the couple set up residence in Olive's home. When the Panhandle shut down in 1940, the family left Spirit Lake. The property has remained in the family and Keith and Jan spend summers there.

The Spencers tell the story of the Spirit Lake, Blanchard and Twin Lakes area. It begins with the geological formation followed by the fur traders who traveled through the area. The first settler, Pete Rhodebeck, arrived at Spirit Lake in 1881. In 1906 he subdivided his land and began selling lots along the lake, opened a campground and encouraged tourists to stop by his place.

The sleepy tourist destination turned into a bustling town in 1908 when Frederick Blackwell built the town of Spirit Lake in less than eight months to support his Panhandle Lumber Company. He also built a railroad to service the mill. The story of Blackwell's operations are detailed in the book, including the story of the Idaho & Washington Northern Railroad. With its headquarters in Spirit Lake, it was a first-class railroad with new equipment and a roadbed second to none.

Beyond the railroad and mill interest, the Spencers' book also carries the story of the steamboats which ran on Spirit Lake beginning in the early 1900s. The Echo, Reco, Lucile, Tecumseh and Queen Bess operated on the lake until the early '40s, serving tourist and residents. The boats provided transportation for the hundreds of people who came for the educational and recreational camping meetings called Chautauquas.

Spirit Lake declined after the 1939 fire and for many years struggled to exist. Spirit Lake's history is filled with people who worked hard, played hard and did interesting things.

The authors have created a book which serves as a record for those who want to know about Spirit Lake and the surrounding area or just look at the 276 photographs depicting this history.

The cost for this tabletop hardcover book is $34.95. It is available at local bookstores including Hastings, The Well-Read Moose, and in Spirit Lake at Old West Hardware and The Linger Longer Bar. The Spirit Lake Historical Society benefits from books sold via Joy Porter at 208-818-4792 or C's Trains and Antiques. It is also available at the Museum of North Idaho website www.museumni.org.