Bonner County History - June 30, 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 30, 1976 – BICENTENNIAL QUILT 

The Bonner County bicentennial quilt will be on display at sites around the county for the rest of 1976. Portraying much of the county’s history, the quilt’s 42 squares were made by people throughout the county, pieced together by the Sandpoint Civic Club, then quilted by the L.D.S. Relief Society. Some of the  squares and their creators include: Wooden long bridge 1910 (Gini Woodward); first Farmin school 1906 (Verna Mae Davis); Northern Pacific Depot 1916 (Jeannette Satterlee); Kootenai School 1910 (Lillian Linscott); David Thompson’s travels along Sand Creek (Jan Johnson); trading post at Seneacquoteen (Peggy Mahler); original First Methodist church 1905 (Mable Kinney); First Presbyterian Church 1906 (Bessie Bunker); Pend Oreille Pete (Ann Miller); K & K Week Red Hat (Iva Burnstad); Kamloops (Betty Slaughter); Whitetail deer (Mary Schwin): Lumberjack (Marcella Cooper); Colburn (Anita and Mary Albers); Sandpoint Golf Course (Sue Austin); Bald Eagles (Kris Scollon and Ann Gehring); Fun at City beach (Ginny Robideaux); Appaloosa horse (Linda Apfel); ferry and first courthouse at Seneacquoteen (Artemis Hulquist). 

•••

SHERRY SPEAR NAMED RODEO QUEEN a

During a dance Friday night at the Eagles Lodge, Miss Sherry Spear was crowned 1976 Panhandle Rodeo Queen. Cathy Watts was first runner-up and Beryl Fleury was Princess. Flowers for the girls were donated by Mary and Bill Blanset, new owners of the House of Flowers; music was by “Free & Easy.”

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

June 30, 1951 – PARTY AT MORAN HOME 

For her 18th birthday, Ora Jean Moran entertained friends at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mert Moran. Guests were Inez Mott, Luella Oliver, Laura Whitehead, Marilla Wilson and Rhoda Roth.  

•••

MEN AT ARMED FORCES SCHOOLS 

Pvt. Franklin W. Hull, [son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hull], 603 N. Florence, is in an intensive course in automotive maintenance at Oklahoma A & M college school of technical training.  

Pvt. Arie Poelstra, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer  Poelstra, rte. 1, is in a 14-week training course with the 6th armored division at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.  

•••

TO GATHER SALVAGE WEDNESDAY 

The Salvation army truck will be in Sandpoint to pick up any salvage material people might have.  

•••

COCOLALLA NEWS by Mrs. D.C. Hirst 

The rainstorm Saturday was welcomed by farmers but the terrible electrical storm preceding it was unwelcome, especially to your reporter. As I stood at my work table, a streak of fire flashed across a two foot space toward me, causing my hand and arm to first go numb and then ache the rest of the evening. 

Mrs. Betty Clary has rented the school cottage.  

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Beusksens and daughter have moved into their new home.

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