Bonner County History - Sept. 22, 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

   Sept. 22, 1976 – CCD OPEN HOUSE 

   An open house for CCD teachers and parents was held Sunday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church after the 11 o’clock Mass. A dedication was held naming the CCD center, next door to St. Joseph’s, as the “Dooley House,” in memory of former pastor Father Dooley. [The home, at 617 Oak had previously been called the “Cherry House,” not for its cherry pink color, but for A.E. Cherry, its owner for decades]. 

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   LEAS PURCHASE DIAMOND W MOTEL 

   England natives Harry and Margaret Lea recently bought Sandpoint’s Diamond W Motel on Hwy 95 south of Sandpoint. The Leas acquired the motel Sept. 10 from Robert Cox, who owned the firm for four years. The Leas, who once managed a motel in Anaheim, Calif, recently returned from England.  

•••

   SANDPOINT CHRISTIAN CENTER FOUNDED 

   The Sandpoint Christian Center, a New Testament church under the oversight of the Abbot Loop Christian Center in Anchorage, has been officially established. The Pastor is David Nelson, with his wife Debra and daughters, Brenda and Maria. Nelson was born here, but lived in Alaska 15 years. The last two years the family traveled throughout the country as an Evangelist and Gospel singers. The church began its first meetings Sunday at the I.O.O.F. Hall (old First Baptist Church), corner of Euclid and Pine, across from the old Junior High. 

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Sept. 20, 1951 – CITY IN BRIEF 

Sept. 22, 1951 – WORKER RALLIES 

   Ralph Rice, who is employed by the Lee-Union construction company working on right-of-way clearing above the Cabinet Gorge damsite, was seriously injured early Saturday when a birch tree top snapped and fell on him as he was bent over to inspect his chain saw. He received head and back injuries and was unconscious until Monday morning. He is still confined to the Bonner General hospital. 

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   PROTEST FAIR RUNNING OVER TO SUNDAY 

   Bonner county commissioners were called on Monday by a committee from the Pomona and Kootenai Granges, supported by a resolution from the Ministerial society protesting the extension through Sunday of the Bonner county fair, as happened this year for the first time. The protestors suggested the fair should begin a day earlier if it was thought necessary to conduct a four-day show.    

•••

   SALON AND SCHOOL TO MOVE 

   Extensive remodeling of the office space in the basement of the Farmin building [corner Second and Cedar] is underway, making changes to accommodate the Tip-Top Beauty salon and the Sandpoint School of Beauty Culture which will move into the new location the first part of October. The beauty salon will continue under the managership of Mrs. Wickey Winslow, head operator. Mrs. Florence Woodfill, owner of the beauty school and the salon, will continue as instructor of the school.

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