Bonner County History - July 2, 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

July 2, 1976 – BARRICADES STILL UP 

The concrete barricades and “Road Closed” signs were meant to come down today, opening the last segment of the Federal Highway project on Hwy 200 at Hope. The bridge surface on the west end of the project is done, but the truck that paints stripes on the highway broke down, delaying the final touch to the job. The project will be open to traffic this week.  

•••

ROBINSON AREA’S NEWEST ATTORNEY 

Sandpoint’s newest attorney is Johnny-on-the spot. Philip Robinson was discharged from the U.S. Navy June 19, and on June 23, opened a law office at 324 N. First. Born in Sandpoint and raised on his parents’ farm on the Dufort road, he graduated from Southside School, SHS and the U of I, also earning his law degree at the University. This is his first venture in private practice, but he got plenty of law experience in five years with the Navy, spending the first two years in criminal law, and the remaining years with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Robinson will do general legal work in Sandpoint. His wife Carol is a Rexburg native. They have two children, a girl, age five, and a boy, one.  

•••

LAYING CABLE ACROSS THE PEND OREILLE 

Workers aboard Fred Kennedy’s barge Tuesday were laying miles of submarine cable across the Pend Oreille River for General Telephone. The project is expected to take five days and use four reels of cable totaling 10,551 ft. in length.  

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

July 2, 1951 – SMALL GIRL CHOKES 

Ruth Walker, 5, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Walker, choked on a metal slug that lodged in her throat while she was playing. A Spokane specialist removed the slug and she suffered no serious injury. 

•••

HOSPITAL STARTS “PIN MONEY” PROJECT 

Bonner General hospital is issuing a call for all old papers, magazines and catalogues, which will be stockpiled until a sufficient amount justifies sale to a paper mill. The proceeds will go into a “pin money” fund for miscellaneous small needs in the hospital. 

•••

CLARK FORK NEWS by Anna M. White 

At the Bonner General hospital in Sandpoint, a son was born Friday to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Brashear. The little boy is named Bruce William.

Mr. and Mrs. Reno Hatcher are the parents of a baby son born Tuesday.  

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rice [nee Phyllis Brashear], formerly of this village, have a baby boy born in Wallace last week, named Ronald Eugene.  

Opening of the gates at the Thompson Falls dam caused the river to rise several feet last week. 

•••

LEAVE ENDS 

Bob Moody, who has been on leave visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Moody, left Saturday for Camp Pendleton, San Diego. He recently completed his recruit training in the Marines.

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