The new year in 1908 brought news that the Northern Pacific Railroad had agreed to purchase 14 acres from the Humbird Lumber Company on which to build their new division point. This news prompted T.J. Humbird, an owner of the Humbird Lumber Company mills at Kootenai and Sandpoint, to create the Kootenai Townsite Company. Lots and new homes began to be put on the market in the fall of 1908.
In 1910 the Northern Pacific completed it new roundhouse, car shop, and coal chute, and officially moved the division point from Trout Creek, Montana to Kootenai, Idaho. By this time the town had grown rapidly and had become an incorportated city. In 1910 the town could boast of having an active lumber, cedar pole, and railroad industry providing employment for hundreds of men and women. By that time Kootenai also had a bank, forty-room hotel, several stores, restaurant, brick school house, dance hall, two saloons, church, and streetcar terminal.
This Saturday, July 24, the city of Kootenai will be celebrating this milestone in their history with a day of activities for all ages. The festivities begin at 8:00 AM at Kootenai City Park at 200 Spokane Street. There will be an Injectors Car Club showcase, a pancake breakfast and barbeque lunch hosted by the Shriners, live music throughout the day, a self-guided walking tour of historic Kootenai, and a display of historical photographs.
Part of the walking tour will include a stop at the interpretive site installed by the Bonner County Historical Society earlier this year. The Society owns the site of the Northern Pacific’s car shops and stockyards. The interpretive panel shows many of the most historic places related to Kootenai’s past.
Download a schedule of events here.
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