Bonner County History - June 16, 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

June 16, 1976 — LAKE RISING 

Albeni Falls Dam is still holding back runoff to fill Lake Pend Oreille, and the lake will gradually be filled by the Fourth of July weekend. The lake level was up to 2061.1 feet above sea level by Monday, 1.4 feet below summer pool level.  

• • •

HANDBELL RINGERS ATTEND FESTIVAL 

Members of two handbell choirs of the Sandpoint First Presbyterian Church traveled to Tacoma to take part in a handbell ringing festival. The Westminster Handbell Ringers, made up of Senior High School students, includes Kirsten Thompson, Liana Atmore, Janice Marley, Marie Delamarter, Ann Ross, Alissa Creeger, Douglas Reed, Teri McCormick, Jonas Peterson and Tim Scott. The Ding-a-Lings, all junior high students, includes Mark Murray, Kathi Herbkersman, Ken Andrews, Dana Stockman, Lynne Stockman, Sydney Ebbett, Sally Mitchell, Steve Neuder and Wade Palmer. Both groups are directed by Mrs. Lois Scott. 

• • •

ROAD CLOSURE STARTS FRIDAY 

Sandpoint Ranger District announced that it will be necessary to close Lightning Creek Road, north of Clark Fork, for about three weeks, after efforts to keep the road open during construction of a retaining wall were unsuccessful. The road will be reopened when the retaining wall is completed. 

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

June 16, 1951 — THIRD BIRTHDAY PARTY 

Twelve little guests gathered at the E.J. Messmore home Friday to help Delar Jay Messmore celebrate his third birthday. Those present were Linda and Ellen Roos; Sheryl, Douglas and Dayton Fournier; Steve, Stan and Barbara Strecker; Joyce Rothenfluh; Arlen, Bonnie and Janis Hatch; Janice Messmore; Mrs. F.D. Messmore; Mrs. P.W. Fournier; Mrs. True Wilson and Mrs. E.J. Messmore.  

• • •

MARY LOUISE LUNN BECOMES BRIDE 

On the 27th anniversary of her parent’s wedding in Lewiston, Miss Mary Louise Lunn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry A. Lunn of Sandpoint, on June 10 became the bride of Carman Dale Ulrich, son of Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Ulrich of Lewiston, in a candlelight ceremony in the Lewiston Methodist church.  

• • •

EVALYN CULLEY AND EDWIN FINNEY WED 

On June 10, Miss Evalyn Culley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hobart Culley, and Edwin W. Finney, all of Sandpoint, were united in marriage in the newly built home of the groom’s parents in the Bronx district. Mrs. Finney graduated from the Sandpoint high school with the class of 1951. Mr. Finney also attended SHS and served one year in the army in WWII. He is engaged in farming and logging with his father. The couple will reside in the Bronx district.  

• • •

NEWS FROM SAGLE by Mrs. Leo Hartley 

Miss Lasean Boothe is back home after attending N. Idaho College of Education at Lewiston last term.

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