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

Jan. 1, 1969 — ALL-TIME RECORD COLD

Bonner county was gripped by the granddaddy of all cold waves Saturday and struggled just to keep going until frigid temperatures abate. The U of I Experiment Station on Boyer reported minus 29 Sunday and minus 37 Monday. Motorists were caught unprepared and even winterized cars that could not start were the rule. It was too cold for some oil furnaces, as oil congealed in supply lines. The most common sight about town was cars being pushed or towed. Garages were busy starting cars, but little other business went on.

The previous record low of 35 below zero, made on Feb. 9, 1933, was broken Dec. 29, when the mercury dropped to 37 degrees below. The record been unchallenged for 35 years, but was surpassed both Sunday and Monday night.

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POSTPONED BY COLD WEATHER

The annual Schweitzer Basin ski area’s Businessmen’s Days, originally set for Thursday is postponed a week due to record cold weather. Ski School Director Al Voltz said the series will start Jan. 9 and continue for six weeks.

Ladies’ Days will start as scheduled Jan. 7. Women skiing for the first time will receive four 1½ hour lessons and unlimited use of lifts without charge. Equipment rentals will be reduced.

100 Years Ago

Northern Idaho News

Jan. 1, 1919 — LOCAL BRIEFS

Dr. O.F. Page arrived home Thursday, having served the past year at Vancouver barracks as sanitary inspector, with the rank of lieutenant.

The Red Cross organization, finding its hospital quarters too small, has moved the hospital to the Knights of Pythias hall.

NOTICE: There will be no meeting of Sandpoint Aerie of Eagles Thursday on account of flu hospital next door. Joseph Leising, secretary.

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FLU TAKES TOLL OF NEWCOMERS

Mrs. C.T. Rhoten died of influenza Monday at the Red Cross hospital and her husband is in a critical condition with it. The family came here only a short time ago from Oklahoma.

Joseph L. Cowart, the year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Cowart, died today. The Cowarts came from Oklahoma at the same time as the Rhotens and nearly every member has had influenza. Two sons are now at the Red Cross hospital.

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LAND-RIVER ROUTE TO BE STATE ROAD

Adj. General Chas. Moody visited his old haunts in Sandpoint recently, bringing the welcome news that the road from Sandpoint east to the state line has been made a part of the state highway system. The road runs from here around the lake, through Kootenai and Hope, thence up the right bank of the Clarksfork crossing the river at Clarksfork village and from there through Cabinet to the Montana line, where it connects with the Montana state highway.

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