Bonner County History - March 19, 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

March 19, 1976 – SERVICE NEWS 

1974 SHS graduate Sheryl D. McPherson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gene McPherson, Dover, has been meritoriously promoted to the rank of corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. Cpl. McPherson is stationed at Marine Corps HQ, Quantico, VA. 

• • •

Joe Weisz and his brother George are seeking financial backing to turn Joe’s mountain-top land 2½ miles from town into a recreation area with skiing, roller skating, ice skating, campgrounds, year-round tennis, horse riding, indoor ping-pong, fish ponds, a physical fitness center, football, and hiking. Skiing is the only thing going on now atop the Pine Street ridge, and it’s free! Instead of a T-bar or chairlift, Joe tows skiers back up the hill with his skidder. Nearly 40 years ago, the same land gave the area its only local skiing. The property was then owned by Roes and at least two rope tows operated off and on from ‘38-‘48. The area fell into disrepair due to poor snow conditions and in 1949 Joe Weisz purchased the ski slope and surrounding 210 acres. This winter, 20-25 skiers have  enjoyed the unusual but cheap skiing. Snow season is ending, but the Weisz brothers continue to push their recreation area. Joe reckons he’ll be working on it the rest of his life.  

• • •

SPINNING DEMONSTRATION 

Orville Heath will present a spinning and carding demonstration at Westmond Grange Hall Friday at 7 p.m. and interested persons are invited to attend. 

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

March 19, 1951 – FARMIN BASKETBALL TEAM 

These jr. high boys make up the Farmin A squad which was runner-up in the invitational tournament in Bonners Ferry: Paul Tillberg, Ross Russell, Ray Belote, Ronnie Pellens, Dennis Decker, Paul Kelly, Myron Lane, Bud Dunn, Doug Schedler, Paul Roos, Leon Lewis, Duane Emery, Jack Bloxom, Bud Miller, Marion Benton, Donald Leen and Bob Alexander. 

• • •

GIRLS TRY OUT SMALL-BORE RANGE 

The boys better look sharp as the girls are going to crowd them pretty soon, judging from the enthusiastic turnout of feminine shooters at the range in the basement of the Eagles’ lodge in the first shoot for girls held under the sponsorship of Don Samuelson, Les Gissel and members of their volunteer committee. “Other junior shooting groups include girls,” Samuelson said, “and we decided to try it out here but had no idea we would dump the jackpot the first night. We plan to have the girls shoot along with the boys on Wednesday nights and compete in interclub matches in the future.” The following girls competed: Clair Rainey, Carol Barlow, Janice Parsons, Ila Miller, Arlene Miller, Jean Miller, Cleo Hawley, Barbara Lindsey, Kay Selle, Charlotte Hilliker, Patty Byrne, Helen Hilliker, Margaret Morris, Patricia Watt, Sylvia Watt, Mary McKinnon, Annette Carpenter, Shirley Brixen, Barbara Walker, Bernice South, Lois Neer, Mary Altman and Bonnie Altman.

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