Historical Sites of North Idaho
Did you know Idaho has its own submarine base? Have you ever harvested ice from a lake? Did you know a kiln was an oven to cook limestone in before it was used to create concrete? Would you like to spend a night in the sky? Have you ever watched a River Pig run across floating logs?
These and 15 other historical tidbits are explored in this tour of North Idaho’s colorful history. The communities of the panhandle are teaming with little-known facts, locations and events that are waiting to be discovered. “Old Timers” are more than willing to share their stories over a cup of hot coffee. With a little exploration and research you may be amazed at the new things you will learn. Let your journey into the past begin!
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Stories 20
Morton School - Memories of a One-Room Schoolhouse
A typical day for a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse was not easy to define. They were challenged to teach grades 1 - 8 in the same class room. Teachers taught all subjects and learned quickly about Murphy's Law. Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.
The Sandpoint Train Depot: Northern Pacific Railroad Depot in Sandpoint, Idaho
All aboard! Men and woman have gathered at the Gothic style Sandpoint train station since its opening in 1916 to greet friends or family and to travel to other destinations.
Cabinet Landing: Cabinet Landing - The Front
Cabinet Landing on the banks of the Clark Fork River was a rough construction camp for the Northern Pacific Railroad. This tent city of over 3,000 people became a ghost town over night when the construction moved up the line.
The Cedar Street Bridges: Cedar Street Bridge Public Market
The Cedar Street Bridge is the home of a mall of unique shops. This structure was the result of Scott Glickenhaus's dream to save the auto bridge and fashion it after the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy.
Seneacquoteen: The Lost County Seat for Kootenai County
Senacquoteen (Crossing the River) was a popular camping site and crossing for the Kalispel and Kootenai Indians. When homesteaders moved into the area, it became an important ferry crossing and the county seat.
The Italian Settlement: The Settlement
During 1890 to 1892 several Italian men came to the Priest River area to work on the Great Northern Railroad. Shortly after arriving they found the area just east of Priest River was ideal for farming. The men sent for their wives, families and brides from Italy and started what is known as the Italian Settlement.
The McFarland House: The McFarland Residence
The 110 year old large, white house at the corner of First Avenue and US95 in Sandpoint has been known as the McFarland House for decades. But the house was actually built by Ignatz Weil, a businessman who took control of the land from an estate.
The Spirit of Sandpoint High School: The Old Sandpoint High School
The old Sandpoint High School has been a part of the community for 93 years. It is filled with memories of 31 years of graduations and the beginning of the famous Sandpoint Bulldogs.
Float Homes of Bayview: Floating homes, Lake Pend Oreille
The "Floating Village" near Bayview, Idaho has been part of the community's history since 1910. These homes are fully equipped for full time residents or vacationing families.
Idaho's Submarine Fleet: Acoustic Development Research Center
When Farragut Naval Training Station was built near Bayview, Idaho in the 1940's, the soldiers were not the only new arrival. Idaho gained it's first submarine fleet that is still active today.
Fire Lookouts – From Hermit's Castles to Weekend Get-A-Ways: Fire Lookouts
The fire lookout started as a means of early detection of forest fires. Today its new role is as a week-end get-a-way.
The River Pigs of Logging: Logging on the River
Logging Companies used rivers and lakes to move logs from the logging camps to the mills. The brave men that guided the logs on the journey were called the River Pigs.
Flumes, Chutes and Splash Dams: Logging in the early years
Logging for white pine in north Idaho required a new transportation method to get the logs from the mountain to the mill. Flumes, chutes and splash dams were the solution.
The Long Bridge: The Bridge to Sandpoint
The two mile long bridge spanning the mouth of the Pend Oreille River leads to Sandpoint on the north end. Today's bridge, as the 3 previous ones, offers panoramic views of the river, lake and mountains and is a key access point for people living south of the town.
Cooking Lime in Bayview, Idaho: The limestone business of North Idaho
Limestone is one of the popular mining products of the Lakeview and Bayview area. The limestone was cooked in kilns in Bayview to start the process of turning it into concrete.
Sandpoint’s Qapquape: Sandpoint City Beach
The Sandpoint City Beach was originally the meeting place for the Kalispel Indian Tribe. The residents of the newly developed city of Sandpoint improved the area that became the city beach.
Lakeview: Mining Camp to Vacation Paradise
Lakeview, Idaho was once a thriving mining town with a population of over 1,000 in 1890. Within 40 years the town became an isolated community of about 20 people.
The Valley Vista Barn: The Valley Vista Ranch Barn
On the side of the hill along US95 at Cocolalla Flats sits the iconic Valley Vista Ranch's big red barn. This barn has watched over the valley since 1949.
Ice Harvest on Cocolalla Lake: Cocolalla Lake Blue Ice
Cocolalla Lake was once an ice farm producing 200 pound blocks of ice that were in high demand by the Northern Pacific Railroad.
The Northern Steamer of Lake Pend Oreille: The Northern Steamer
The Northern Steamboat was a 102 foot propeller driven double decker steamer that plied the waters of Lake Pend Oreille from 1908 until 1930 when it was destroyed by fire.Tour curated by: Mary Garrison