Bonner County History - July 21, 2026

BONNER 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 21, 1976 – RIFFLES OBSERVE 50TH  

Over 100 attended an open house honoring Emma and Ralph Riffle’s golden anniversary. After dinner at the Edgewater with 28 members of their immediate family, including their five sons, Norman and Harvey (both of Sandpoint), Don, Gary, and Pat, the couple went to the Fish Hatchery Road home where they were married to receive their friends. The home was built by Mrs. Riffle’s father. During WWII, Mr. and Mrs. Riffle lived in Tacoma, but after the war, moved back to Sandpoint and bought the house, living there until they moved into town. Now their son Harvey and his family live there.  

•••

DOG CONTROL REMINDERS GIVEN 

Sandpoint pet control officer Tom DeMers, who went back to work for the city Monday, reminds area residents that a list of all dogs picked up in the city will be posted on the bulletin board across from the Water Dept. in City Hall. If not claimed within three days, they will be disposed of humanely, he said.  

•••

SMITH, RINGHAND WEDDING 

Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Smith, Careywood, announced the engagement of their daughter, Bette L. to Ronald R. Ringhand, Spokane, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roland S. Ringhand, Oregon, Wis. Miss Smith is an SHS graduate. Her fiance graduated from Oregon Wis. High School. Both attended the Montana Institute of the Bible. The July 24 wedding will be at Southside Community Church, Westmond.

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

July 21, 1951 – ATTENDS ARMY REUNION 

Archie Yager returned home July 1 from two weeks at Battle Creek, Mich., where he attended a reunion of about 200 army buddies of the Second Infantry regiment in which he served in WWII as a rifleman. On his way home, Archie took factory delivery of a Hudson Hornet, which he drove home.  

•••

GREENLEAF AT CAMP STONEMAN 

Army reserve officer Capt. Paul Greenleaf left July 14 for Camp Stoneman, Calif. for two weeks of training with the AG courier services. 

•••

WOODEN INDIAN NEW FIXTURE IN CITY 

In the “horse and buggy” days, Indians in colorful native dress were not uncommon here, but not until this June did the first wooden Indian appear on Sandpoint streets. How this common place street sign for a tobacco shop was missing from this city’s early-day scene cannot be explained, but with the advent of “Minnie Brunswick,” the oversight is now corrected. Minnie, resplendent in brilliant colors and sparkling varnish, came to this city six weeks ago for The Brunswick, a recently opened sporting goods shop, beer parlor and lunch counter. Hand carved from one tree, the 5’ 7” Shoshoni woman with a papoose on her back stands on a pedestal. She is the handiwork of Thayne Robertson, 34, a former Boise newspaperman. His is the only wooden Indian “factory” in active production in the United States.

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