Off the Mountain

It may feel as though ski resorts have been around forever. Truth is that the first ski area in the U.S. was established 106 years ago.

Schweitzer’s history is even younger than that – just 58 years in

December 2021. Since Schweitzer’s history is relatively young in the scheme of things, it’s nice to have the brick and mortar history of our hometown of Sandpoint to fall back on. Most of the major early developments of the town were done by the Farmin family, who arrived in the area working for the Great Northern Railway in the late 1800s. By 1901, the town was incorporated and thriving. 120 years later, take a stroll and admire the solid past that is inspiring the future in our hometown.

Historical Sandpoint

THIS IS A SUBHEAD FOR THIS STORY

419 N. Second Ave Original Sandpoint Federal Building, now MickDuff’s Brewing Co.

This impressive building was finished in 1926 and housed Sandpoint’s post office, U.S. Forest Service offices, IRS, Civil Service, and military recruitment offices. In 1973, it was listed on the National Register of Historical Places for its architectural significance and Spanish Revival influences. The library had a brief stint here as well, before moving to their current location in 2000. MickDuff’s Brewing Co. purchased the building in the summer of 2019 and embarked on an extensive renovation, creating a new home for their restaurant operations and pilot brewery while maintaining the historical integrity of the building. The renovations earned MickDuff’s an Orchid Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation by Preservation Idaho. www.mickduffs.com

102 S. Euclid Ave – Original Sandpoint High School, now the Sandpoint Events Center.

Built in 1923, this stately landmark has been used as a high school, junior high, and the “9th Grade Center.” The building was closed in 1986 due to the need for extensive renovations. In the early 2000s, a local family took ownership of the building, converting the space into offices and an event center for hosting weddings, receptions, plays, fundraisers, and corporate meetings. www.sandpointeventscenter.com

11 Main St. Sandpoint’s first City Hall, now home of the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint.

Sandpoint’s first City Hall was built in 1909 on land donated by L.D. Farmin and has been used as a fire station and as the city library. The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint acquired the building in 2019 and plans to use this centrally located space to continue growing their programs for voice, theater, and music in all its forms. www.sandpointconservatory.org

For more details on other historic locations in town, check out the full walking tour map, “Sandpoint …. A Walk through History” created by the Sandpoint Historic Preservation Commission and the City of Sandpoint.

Live like there' s ’Snow’ tomorrow

When you’re here for the deep powder and epic runs at Schweitzer — don’t miss the wow! of Sandpoint. Just 20 minutes down the mountain, Sandpoint is host to a bustling entertainment scene, more than 40 excellent restaurants and taverns, and that’s not to mention the eclectic shops, galleries and sumptuous spas for any non-skiers in your crowd. Cross-country and snowshoe trails at nearby Pine Street Woods, the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail or Western Pleasure Guest Ranch are superb, too.

Make your visit the complete experience. We’ll see you in Sandpoint!