Bonner County History - June 18, 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 18, 1976 – SON BORN 

June 11: To Mr. and Mrs. Clyde SchillIng, Sandpoint, a 7 lb. 13½ oz. boy. 

•••

WORK BEGUN ON SCHWEITZER CHAPEL 

Construction of a non-denominational church at Schweitzer officially began Sunday as a handful of promoters gathered for ground breaking festivities. The chapel will be a few hundred yards from the Overniter Hotel, so vacationers can ski to the chapel on their way to the lower T-Bar. Ted Gunning, who designed Gunning’s Alley in downtown Sandpoint, will be in charge of the framing phase; volunteer laborers will then take over as much as possible. It is planned that a different clergyman will assume ministerial duties each Sunday. Building deadline is set for the beginning of next winter’s ski season.

•••

WHITEHEADS CELEBRATE FIFTIETH 

Friends and family met for an open house at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Whitehead to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. The Whiteheads have lived in the Center Valley area since 1932. Family attending were Mrs. Ron (Mary) Pettis; Richard Whitehead; Mr. and Mrs. Dolph Whitehead and Steve; Mr. and Mrs. Tom (Laura) Henry, Walter and Gordon; Mr. and Mrs. Doug (Marie) Eier, Bob and John; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Eier; Eva Whitehead; and Mr. and Mrs. Clay Anderson and Michelene. 

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

June 18, 1951 – WALKS FROM PLANE CRASH 

Robert Kelly, Kootenai, who is taking an aviation course on the G.I. bill at the Sandpoint Flying School, on Sunday crashed the Taylorcraft plane he was flying in the front yard of his parents’ home near Hope. He escaped serious injury but was treated for face lacerations and a severely bruised shoulder. 

•••

NEWS FROM KOOTENAI by Mrs. C.L. Hilligoss 

Mrs. Harry Roberts gave a party for her daughter, Rita’s 11th birthday. Guests were Betty Jean and Sylvia Bergstrom, Marjorie Olson, Albert Bellamy,  Harvey and Marilyn Rutherford, Darrell, Virginia and Allen Reid, Carol Carter, Emma Jean Wilson, Belva Linscott, Arthur and Jan Rosholt and Reva Hildreth.  

A very pretty wedding took place in the Kootenai church Saturday at high noon when Miss Doris Woodard of Sandpoint became the wife of Cecil Aldrich, son of Mr. and Mrs. Art Aldrich of Kootenai. 

Several around Sagle are having the measles. Among these are Mark and Dawn Hawkins, Donna Marie and Edward Noel Olsen, and Dick Bradetich. 

•••

NEWS FROM WESTMOND by Mrs. W.A. Randall 

A double charivari was enjoyed Thursday by about 65 Westmondites who went in a group to the Nick Shalz home to charivari Mr. and Mrs. Shalz. After a couple of hours there, Mr. and Mrs. Shalz joined the group and they all went to the James Beers home to charivari Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Beers.  

One of Art Evans’ cows presented him with twin bull calves Thursday, bred by artificial insemination. 

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