Bonner County History - May 24, 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

May 24, 1976 — RECEIVE FIRST COMMUNION 

First Holy Communion services were held May 16 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Receiving their first Communion were Danny Williams, Skid Middleton, Anton Pogue, Lindy Lewis, Jodi Cady, Shelly Porter, Cassandra Perry, Mary Ann McGovern, Eric Ponac, Molly Ann Glazier, Val Perry, Michael Leen, Joseph Powell, Sara Muckler, Angela Austin, Christine Rust, Connie Goldbaum, Coreen Goldbaum, Daniel Wiley, David Cochran, Terri Wall, Greg Goldbaum, Della Perry, Leon Palmer, Hung Kincaid and Hai Kincaid.  

• • •

OFFICERS NAMED 

Mrs. Dean Kincaid is the new Welcome Wagon president. Other officers are Mrs. Stanton Maxwell; Mrs. Kenneth Pedler, Mrs. John Muckler, Mrs. Joseph Marnes; Mrs. Frank Havelick; Mrs. Vern Bromgard; Mrs. Dean Cook; and Mrs. Robert Posie.  

• • •

CATHERINE CURTIS RECALLS 

In a stately white house [425 Lakeview Blvd.], built in the early part of this century, lives Catherine Curtis, better known as “Jimmy.” “This house,” she said, “is where my husband [Richard M. Curtis] grew up. After we married and had three children, we traded homes as we needed a bigger house. My in-laws moved down the street to our smaller home. Before the Albeni Dam was in operation, the lake water at times would fill half the yard. We’d let the children go out in a rowboat with one hard and fast rule – they weren’t allowed to row out of the yard.” 

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

May 24, 1951 — OSPREY ARE FLOOD VICTIMS 

The pair of low-nesting osprey are homeless after Lake Pend Oreille’s rising waters washed away their “honeymoon cottage.” The big birds had nested atop a low piling; they now dejectedly perch on tall poles near their “homesite,” which is under flood waters.

• • •

CLASS DAY PROGRAM HELD THURSDAY 

The SHS Class of 1951 Class Day opened with a class history by Jack Parker. Gloria Olson gave the Salutatorian speech, followed by Jimmie Van Sant’s piano solo and Mary McKinnon reading the class will. The class prophecy was given by Phyllis Boling and Gloria Pietsch gave a reading. Inez Mott gave the valedictorian speech. Jimmie Van Sant received a science award, and George Eidam was named the year’s outstanding athlete. His name will be the first one on the Rich Misner-Bobby Caughey memorial trophy. New student body president Bud Van Stone was installed by Supt. L.W. Haight, and retiring president Jack Parker, as were Kenny Thompson, v-p, and Jerry Farrar, sec-treas. George Eidan, Class president, presented the class photo, as well as the class gift, a hanging microphone for the auditorium.  

• • •

SWINGING BRIDGE! 

To get men and light material from one side of the Clark Fork river to the other end at the [Cabinet] gorge, Morrison-Knudsen Co., Inc. has built a swinging bridge. The river is at flood stage. 

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