Bonner County History - July 20, 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

July 20, 1975 – LIONS INSTALL OFFICERS

Lions Club officers for 1975-76 were installed last week: President Pete Thompson; First Vice President Ron May; Second Vice Roger Lubbers; Third Vice Larry Wahlgren; Secretary John Muckler; Treasurer Lowell Spickelmire; Lion Tamer Danny Lee; Tail Twisters Don Mitchell and Fred Jameson; board members Dave Downing, Bob Woods and Wayne Hook.  Mike Reeb is the outgoing president.

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BELWOODS BUY STORE FROM JEFFRES

Ernie and Diane Belwood became the new owners of Furniture Exchange July 1, purchasing it from Al Jeffres, who has been associated with the business for 28 years. Belwood is a 1966 Priest River High graduate. After a term in the armed forces, he worked on the coast for five years before returning to this area. He worked for Furniture Exchange the past year. His wife, Diane, is a 1966 SHS graduate. The new owners have two children, a boy and a girl. 

•••

COUNCIL NODS MUSEUM

The Bonner County Historical Society got approval from the Sandpoint city council Monday to construct a museum at the old Bonner County Fairgrounds.  Bud Moon, representing the Historical Society, said a 74’ x 74’ structure is planned and voluntary labor and material donations have already been pledged from within the community. Those donations will significantly lessen the project costs, estimated at between $75,000 and $80,000.

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

July 20, 1950 – BOY SCOUTS TELL OF TRIP

Five Boy Scouts recounted details of their trip to the national Boy Scout jamboree at Valley Forge at Monday’s Kiwanis luncheon. The boys, Douglas Schedler, Fred Bockelman, Leon Lewis, James Abbott and Bruce Wendle, told in detail of their trip, each boy describing a section of the journey. The trip took them to Glacier national park, Chicago, Detroit, Niagara Falls, New York City, Valley Forge, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, across Texas, up to Salt Lake City, Boise, Spokane and then home. 

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HORSELESS CARRIAGE OF 1902!

The oldest automobile in the July 4th parade was a 1902 International, owned and driven by Clyde Cox. The two-lunger with its high, hard-tired wheels was the forerunner of today’s sleek high-powered autos. As old as it is, it still ran – at a slow walk. 

•••

NEW DOVER WATER TANK

A new 420,000-gallon steel water tank will replace the old wooden water tank of the Dover Water Co.; construction will begin as soon as a few needed parts arrive. The tank materials have already been assembled on top of Dover bluffs. After the new tank is in service, the old tank will be dismantled and replaced by another wooden tank to provide additional capacity. Dover Water Co. is a subsidiary of Pack River Lumber company, and serves both the town of Dover and the company’s planing mill. 

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