by Bob Gunter
The Power House of the Northern Idaho & Montana Power Company was completed in 1910. It cost nearly $200,000 and, as the Pend Oreille Review stated, "The new plant in every detail is modern and up-to-date and one of the most substantial in the northwest." The building was constructed of brick, concrete and steel from the foundation up and the walls between the engine room and boiler room were also made of brick and were 13 inches thick.
Sandpoint Power House
Click photo to enlarge
The plant furnished electrical power for Sandpoint and the immediate surrounding area. The building was 127x113 feet and was divided into three rooms, an engine and boiler room, and an all-purpose room containing equipment and the seven panel switchboards. A 500 kilowatt, 670 horsepower, Allis-Chalmers engine was used in the power plant.
It was reported in 1917 by a local paper that there was to be a new power company in Sandpoint. The Northern Idaho and Montana Power Company was to be succeeded by a Delaware based company by the name of Mountain States Power Company.
In later years after the mode of the transmission of electricity had changed, the old building was used as a place for storage. 1972 saw the old power house being used as the Sandpoint Marina. Winter storage for boats was available as well as the rental of water sports equipment. There one could find both motor boats and canoes for fishing. Boat repair and maintenance were also offered at the Marina.
When you come over the long bridge and enter Sandpoint the first large building you see on your right is the Power House. Today it houses the Festival at Sandpoint, a restaurant and various other businesses. It has been remodeled on the inside but the exterior retains much of its appearance of years gone by.
All photographs have been used with permission of the Bonner County Museum. |
