From the archives of the

Bonner County History Museum

611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

July 12, 1970 – HOME FROM HAWAII

John S. Widerstrom, S.M.2, U.S. Navy, flew in from Hawaii to spend a 30-day leave with his family in Ponderay. He just returned from a tour of duty in Vietnam on the destroyer, U.S.S. Bradley. When his leave is over, he and his family will move to San Diego, where he will be stationed.

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LARRY JOHNSON VISITS

Larry Johnson, Scottsdale, Ariz., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Johnson, former owners of Don’s Drive-In, has been spending a vacation visiting friends and relatives here since before July 4.

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POSTAL EMPLOYEE RETIRES

Clarence A. Gravelle, 417 Lake St., retired last week as a fireman-laborer-custodian of the Sandpoint Post Office after nearly 35 years of federal service. Gravelle started work for the department on Oct. 24, 1935. At his farewell celebration July 1, he received a gift from fellow employees, who went together to purchase him a past president’s ring for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, which he had often said he wanted.

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SPENT LEAVE HERE

Major Gerald O. Coulston left for his base at Loring, Maine after spending his leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Coulston, and a brother, Kenneth, and family.

100 Years Ago

Pend d’Oreille Review

July 12, 1920 – COUNTY NURSE HERE

Due to efforts of the Civic club toward a county wide health organization, the state tuberculosis association is making good on its promise to send a visiting nurse to the county. Miss Ann Esbensen arrived this week and will remain two months, her salary and expenses to be paid by the anti-tuberculosis association. Should the value of her work here be sufficiently demonstrated, a county nurse may possibly be permanently engaged.

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PURCHASE TOURIST PARK SITE

The Chamber of Commerce has purchased the solid block between Pine and Lake streets and Ruth and Ella avenues (2020 Note: current site of Pine Street Park) from John Law for $1,000 and is making it into a tourist park. A score of chamber members worked Wednesday from five until nine o’clock, tearing down fences, graveling the entrances to the ground and cleaning up the premises. Much remains to be done, but groups will work each evening until the job is done.

Plans include erecting a bungalow on site, to include a rest room, kitchen, shower baths, toilets, washing and ironing accommodations with electric irons, writing room, registration booth and telephone. Construction will be started shortly.

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BAND CONCERT

The city band will give an open air concert at the band park on Third avenue and Main street Tuesday evening between 7:30 and 8:30.

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