Bonner County History - April 28, 2026

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

April 28, 1976 – BEACH BALLOTS COUNTED 

The Sandpoint City Beach loop ballot tally taken by Jim Parsons and Bob Glock revealed that 186 persons cast ballots – 98 favoring the beach loop reopening, 88 favoring its closure. The unofficial ballot was only to provide input to the city council. 

• • •

MIRROR LAKE FISHING DERBY 

Boy Scout Troop 111 will sponsor a fishing derby this weekend at Mirror Lake with merchandise to be awarded for the biggest fish, the smallest fish, and the best catch registered each day of the derby, as well as two or three mystery prizes, according to scout Bert May. The Scouts will camp at the lake Friday night and persons can begin registering at Camp Stidwell as early as 4 a.m. Saturday. Entry fee is 75 cents for adults for both days; children under 12 years of age will pay 25 cents. The fish must be caught on Mirror Lake to be eligible. The scouts will weigh and register the fish and announce winners at the end of each day. 

• • •

BOUSE, BENNETT PLAN WEDDING 

Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd A. Bennett, Rte. 1, Sandpoint, announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter Janet Marie, to Daniel Jay Bouse of Ponderay, son of Mr. and Mrs. N. Earl Bouse. Janet graduated from high school in 1968 and from Ricks college in 1973. Daniel graduated from high school in 1962 and from the Oklahoma Farrier school. They plan to be married June 30 in the Cardston, Alberta Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

April 28, 1951 – COCHRAN IS PROMOTED 

Cpl. Allen Cochran of headquarters company, 194th ECB, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Cochran and husband of Mary M. Cochran, all of Sandpoint, has been promoted to the grade of sergeant. The battalion is now serving in Korea. 

• • •

RED HAT DANCE IS OPEN HOUSE AFFAIR 

The Elks lodge is planning its annual Red Hat dance for Kamloops day, the opening of the Lake Pend Oreille fishing season, on Saturday, May 5. It will be “open house” at the Elks. All fishermen and their party members are invited to take part in the dancing and other club facilities during the evening. The club will also be open to personnel from Albeni Falls and Cabinet Gorge dams and their ladies. 

• • •

BAND TO TAKE PART IN BRIDGE CEREMONY 

When the SHS band is at Lewiston Saturday to take part in the dedication of the new Clearwater memorial bridge, band director Adair Hilligoss, will convey greetings from Frank G. Harris, president of the Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. Harris noted the “fine feeling of satisfaction at having secured this wonder bridge for which you worked so long,” adding he hopes it will not be too many years before Sandpoint can invite the people of Lewiston to the dedication of a new bridge to replace the ancient wood piling structure across Lake Pend Oreille here.

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