From the archives of the

Bonner County History Museum

611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Aug. 5, 1968 – NEW BRIDGE NEEDED

Temporary load limit of 4,000 lbs. has been placed on the Bridge St. span. The limitation will remain until temporary repairs can be completed. This is the second time in 48 months the bridge has required such repairs.

Technically, the 4,000 lbs. limit makes use of the bridge to the city beach illegal by most medium and expensive cars and numerous heavy station wagons. The other span across Sand creek, on Cedar, is limited to 10,000 lbs. Engineers deem the Bridge St. structure the weaker of the two. The city is studying the best possible location for a new Sand creek span.

•••

WORK BEGUN ON NEW FAIRGROUNDS

County equipment broke ground Wednesday for two new buildings for the new Bonner County fairgrounds. The site, a former hay field on North Boyer Ave., will eventually offer everything the annual fair now lacks - room, modern buildings, ample facilities for livestock and enough parking.

Tentatively, the fair will stay at the old fairgrounds on Ontario St. this year and next.

•••

THOMPSON RECEIVES DEGREE

Michael J. Thompson, son of Mrs. Helen M. Thompson, Route 2, and a graduate of Sandpoint Senior High School, received a bachelor of arts degree in political science at commencement exercises at Eastern Washington State College on August 1.

100 Years Ago

Northern Idaho News

Aug. 5, 1918 – BOYS TO GO WEDNESDAY

A public meeting will be held Wednesday at the chautauqua tent at 1 p.m. as a testimonial to the boys in the next draft contingent, which leaves over the G.N. at 2:30 for Camp Fremont, Calif. There are 49 in the regular quota and four or five extra will be sent to make up for those rejected for physical reasons. The names of those summoned for the draft were published in last week’s News.

•••

START FIRST AID CLASS

An impending shortage of physicians locally, due to the intention of the government to call for three more physicians from this city, has caused the Red Cross to begin the training of persons in first aid work. It is evident that if three more physicians go, the simpler varieties of medical attention must be attended to by other than regular physicians, and this first aid work becomes a very important matter.

•••

GOVERNMENT CONTROLS WIRES

The country’s telegraph and telephone systems passed under control of the federal government on August 1, and were placed under the control of the postmaster general, but so far no change has been made in the operations of either of the services.

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