Bonner County History - Dec. 7, 2025

Brought to you by the

Bonner County Historical

Society and Museum

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

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

and Sandpoint Bee

Dec. 7, 1975 — ANY SUGGESTIONS? 

The Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce asks for ideas on what to do with a white elephant — the old railroad trestle pillar next to the new Sandpoint Area Information Center north of the city on Hwy 95. The pillar is left over from what was once a Burlington Northern trestle traversing Sand Creek at that spot. B.N. owns the land the building is on; the state is in the process of a property exchange with the railroad. When the state had the trestle torn down last year (before the chamber asked to use the land) the huge concrete pillar was left standing. The state isn’t volunteering to tear it down, and neither the city nor the chamber can afford to, so the Chamber would like to work the archway into the scheme of things at the new Monument Park site. Considering this is the monument from which the park’s name is derived, it seems a shame that it’s so intrusive. The Chamber is willing to listen to any suggestions.  

• • •

JENNESTAD HONORED ON 90TH 

Accepting his daughters’ invitation for dinner at the Kaniksu, Ole Jennestad was surprised by a group of  friends and relatives singing “Happy Brithday Ole.” It was a special birthday — his 90th. Ole came to the U.S. from Norway in 1901, arriving in  Sandpoint in 1905. In 1908, he opened Jennestad Clothing and 68 years later, Ole still runs the company. The party was given by his daughters, Edith Jennestad of Sandpoint and Mrs. Helen Luvaas of Bellingham.  

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Dec. 7, 1950 — CITY DONS HOLIDAY ATTIRE 

A Mountain States Power company crew set up the community Christmas tree Friday at the corner of Second and Cedar on the Carter Oil station lot. This year’s tree is Sandpoint’s tallest ever, a 45-foot fir. In years past, trees have ranged between 25 and 30 feet. The crew plans to decorate the tree next week, using all blue electric lights. The usual festoons and colored lights will be strung across the streets, and the city firemen will hang the big evergreen bell at the intersection of First and Main.  

• • •

SLEET COATS CARS; MERCURY 2 ABOVE 

A cold wave from Canada brought snow and sleet, dropping Sandpoint’s temperature to 2 above zero Tuesday, the lowest of the current season. A rise in temperature Wednesday brought snow and sleet, turning the highways icy and coating windshields with ice. Since Dec. 1, 7.2 inches of snow has fallen. 

• • •

IN KOREAN WATERS 

William M. Hagler, fireman, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elsworth Hagler, Clark Fork, is serving aboard a light cruiser now, engaged in the fighting in North Korea. The ship was in the Mediterranean, but was ordered to Korean waters, going via the Suez Canal.  

• • •

TO FORM LINCOLN CHORUS 

All mothers interested in forming a Lincoln P.T.A. chorus are asked to contact Mrs. Leona Sacht or Mrs. Marin Emery within the next two weeks.

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