Growing up, Steve Widmyer was a good student at Roosevelt School.  

As part of a math contest, each student’s name was attached to a small boat on the chalkboard. Correct answers moved that boat toward the finish line. Little Steve Widmyer’s name was always among the leaders. 

“I might have finished first most of the time,” he said, smiling. 

Starting in 1966, Coeur d’Alene's former mayor attended grades one to four at Roosevelt School on Wallace Avenue. The Widmyers lived at Second Street and Miller Avenue in Steve’s youth, and he recalled walking along the railroad tracks to reach school. 

He said it was there that he learned from great teachers.

“I have a love for this building that goes back to when I was 5 and 6 years old,” he said. “I have a lot of fond memories here, at the Roosevelt."

He’s cleared the way to have more.

Steve and Marie Widmyer recently finalized their purchase of the 1905 building that just last year faced the wrecking ball when Blue Fern Development based in Redmond, Wash., reached a deal with the Roosevelt Inn’s longtime owners, John and Tina Hough, with intentions to build townhouses on the property. 

Initial plans called for removing the famous five-story structure that had stood for decades overlooking the city's downtown.

The Roosevelt Inn is beloved in Coeur d'Alene. The brick building was constructed in 1905. Thousands of students passed through its doors from 1905 to 1971.

It was converted into an inn about 30 years ago. 

Today, it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

“I think it was important to preserve that,” Steve said. 

Public outcry arose as word spread that Roosevelt might be demolished, and thousands signed an online petition calling for it to be saved.  

Steve, Coeur d'Alene mayor from 2015 to 2022, quietly began working behind the scenes to do just that.

He had watched over the years as the Houghs had several sales of the Roosevelt fall through, and considered buying it. 

Now, with it available yet again and this time, perhaps its very existence at stake, he reached out to Blue Fern. 

“The time was right,” Steve said. 

The Widmyers came to terms with Blue Fern, which would go ahead with the purchase of the property and keep the Roosevelt Inn standing. Townhomes would be built to the east and north, and the Widmyers would buy them.

The deal finally closed after being in escrow for about a year. 

“They were great to work with,” Steve said. 

The purchase price was not disclosed. 

According to the Kootenai County Assessor's Office, the Roosevelt Inn property was valued at $2.2 million last year. 

Walter Burns, chair of Coeur d’Alene’s Historic Preservation Commission, was pleased to hear the Roosevelt Inn was saved. 

“I think it’s wonderful that Steve stepped up to do this,” Burns said. “He’s a great friend of historic preservation here in Coeur d’Alene."

This wasn’t the first time the Widmyers saved a piece of history.  

About five years ago, Steve and Don “Pepper” Smock bought the 1908 Hamilton House when it was slated to be demolished to make way for a parking lot. Today, it still stands at 627 N. Government and is home to the Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene.

The Widmyers also previously purchased and refurbished an old school in Washington state.

“We really are attracted to old buildings and history,” Steve said.  

It’s not about money.

“History is very important. History tells the tales of the people that have come through Coeur d’Alene," Steve said. 

The Widmyers plan to operate the Roosevelt Inn not as a bed and breakfast, but as a short-term rental, with perhaps a minimum stay of 30 days, for those such as traveling nurses.

Marie, who works with Safety Net, said they also plan to keep a room open for teens aging out of foster care.

“Marie has quite a heart for foster kids and helping them along,” Steve said. 

The Widmyers said the grounds and structure will be beautifully looked after and will be passed down through generations of their family.

“This building will far outlive us,” Steve said. “It's going to be well-maintained forever."