You are lucky enough to have this house built by the great grandson of the
founder of the town. Priest River is often called the "Gateway to Priest Lake"
as you must pass through it to get to US Highway 57 North to Priest Lake. The
town sits at the junction of the Priest River and the Pend Oreille River, where
you can boat all the way up to Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille. Priest River is
a city in Bonner County, Idaho, United
States. The population was 1,754 at the 2000 census.
Early Priest River
The first white pioneer was a German named Henry Keyser who purchased property
from the Kalispell Indians on the Pend Oreille River in 1888 or 1889. From there
a small community began. The original town was located on the west end of Keyser
Slough which is about one mile east of where Priest River is today. It is
believed that the town was first called Priest River then later changed to
Valencia by the Great Northern Railroad. After the railroad company discovered
there was already a town named Valencia in Idaho they changed the name back to
Priest River.
Shortly after the Keysers
settled, several other families joined them, including the Kramers, Sandburns,
and the Carys. The first schoolhouse was built in 1890. Then in 1891 James Judge
opened the first post office and possibly the first store.
Henry was 50
years old when he first arrived in Priest River. Charlie Jackson built the
Keyser House in 1895 for Henry and his young bride Elizabeth. It was the first
balloon framed structure built with square nails. The house was located east of
the Priest River near what is now called Keyser's slough. Henry and Elizabeth
had three children together, Henry, John and Anna.
The Keyser House was donated to the Historical Society by
Henry's great grandson Phillip Keyser and his wife Texanna. Today the Keyser
House is a museum and it is in excellent condition. It is now located on
Montgomery Street, just west (left) of Main Street. Even though it is not
historically significant to the district, it’s considered an example of rural
farmhouses of this era. When in the museum you will see the Keyser Room which
was Grandma Keyser's bedroom, a main display room, a smaller display room, and a
bathroom. The upper floor of the Keyser house is dedicated to timber history
education.
Priest River Links
More History
Priest River on Infoseek
History of the Keyser Family
Attractions
Albeni Falls Dam
2376 E HWY2 Oldtown, ID
3.5 miles west of town the dam offers guided tours of the
powerhouse during summer months.
Open mid-June through Labor Day.
Priest Lake State Park
Noted for
its clear water, Priest Lake extends 19 miles and is connected to the smaller
Upper Priest Lake by a placid, 2-mile-long thoroughfare.
Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars
Indian Cr. Bay No.423 Coolin ID
Walk through a virgin forest with trees up to 12 feet in
diameter and 150 feet tall. Take the short trail to Granite Falls, where cool
cascades of white water spray the moss-covered rocks.
Priest River Recreation Area
Located on the banks of the Priest River just upstream
from the Pend Oreille River.
Albeni Cove
Albeni Cove
Recreation Area is located 500 yards upstream of Albeni Falls Dam and Pend
Oreille.
Riley Creek
Situated on
the banks of the Pend Oreille River is the largest recreation area for the
Albeni Falls Project. There are 67 campsites to choose from.
Idaho State Parks by Region
Other Local Parks
Sandpoint
City Beach
is what Sandpoint is named for. While other
areas around the lake are decidedly
rocky, this is one of the few sandy beaches. It is located on the e dge of Lake
Pend Oreille and is a good place to swim or just sun. It is also home to many
migrating species of birds.
City Beach
is the oldest and best known park is
the City Beach Park which is an eighteen acre park located on Bridge
Street. The City
Beach is the busiest park in the system and is used for several large community
special events. The amenities include: 2 restroom structures, concession area,
picnic shelter with BBQ's, 2 boat launch ramps, playground area, tennis courts,
basketball court, horseshoe pits, 2 life guarded swim area (in season), 2
marinas, and boat sewage pump out station. The park is open 4am to 11pm.
Projects recently completed or underway at the beach include a brand new
restroom facility on South Beach scheduled for completion on Nov. 30th and a
newly re-shingled roof on the beach hut.
VIEW CITY BEACH SLIDE SHOW
Mickinnick Trail, is a 3.5
mile trail (one-way) that "switchbacks" through 160 acres of huge rock
outcroppings, grassy meadows, and old growth timber. It is also graced with
spectacular vistas of Lake Pend Oreille, Sandpoint, the Cabinet Mountains and
the Pend Oreille River. The top boasts an elevation of 4300' for a total
elevation gain of 2150'. The land was originally donated by Nicky Pleass in 1997
to the U.S. Forest Service in memory of her late husband Mick Pleass. Both Mick
and Nicky envisioned a scenic trail directly above Sandpoint Idaho. They wanted
to preserve this scenic land for future generations and as a gift to the
community. In 2005 the trail was opened thanks to grants and partnerships
between the Idaho Panhandle Resource Advisory Committee, the City of Sandpoint,
Bonner County, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service and The Friends of
Mickinnick Trail.
Directions: From Sandpoint point
your car North on Boyer, Turn Left on Baldy Mtn. Rd, Turn Right on Great
Northern, Turn Left on Woodland Drive "crossing the tracks" the trail head is
just up the road on your Left. :)
Lakeview Park,
located at the corner of Ella Avenue and Ontario Street, is a 13 acre park where
numerous community events are held, as well as, family picnics and reunions.
Lakeview Park contains a picnic shelter, picnic tables, BBQ pits, tennis courts,
basketball court, playground area, boat launch ramp, and although not owned or
operated by the city, this park is the home of the Bonner County Museum and the
Lion's Den meeting facility.
Travers Park,
located on Pine Street, boasts 24.5 acres and has a wide variety of amenities,
including 3 full size softball diamonds, a medium size baseball diamond, soccer
fields, football fields, and 2 tennis courts. The children play area includes a
slide, swing sets, and youth climbing apparatus.
The Concrete Lake,
Sandpoint's new skate park! Located 2102 Pine Street in Sandpoint ID
CHECK IT OUT!
War Memorial Field,
which is located right next to Lakeview Park on Ontario Street, is dedicated to
the memory of the Bonner County servicemen lost in battle during WWI, WWII,
Korean, and Vietnam Wars. It has traditionally been named the home field for the
Sandpoint High School Bulldogs. The park also hosts the Festival of Sandpoint in
July and August and various other community activities throughout the year. The
field is used for football, soccer, and baseball. There is a large restroom and
concession building for these sport activities. Memorial Field also includes a
2,700 square foot field house, 865 seat capacity covered grandstand, 400 seat
capacity portable bleachers, and 140 seat capacity baseball grandstands.
Pine Street Park
is a 2 acre park located next to City Hall on Pine Street and is an excellent
neighborhood park for general play. Pine Street Park has one little league size
baseball field, 2 full size basketball courts, picnic tables, and a playground
area containing a swing set and slide.
The 9th Grade Center Park
area has a large green space that has been reverted back to the city after the
closure and sale of the Junior High School. The park is located on Hwy 2 and
Boyer and is 1.6 acres in size. It has a small backstop for youth baseball and
softball and has a perimeter fence adjacent to Highway 200.
Farmin Park
is located at 3rd and Main in the heart of downtown Sandpoint. The park was
donated to the city by the Farmin family, the bandstand that is in the park was
donated by Doug and Ed Hawkins' families, and the sidewalks and path system by
the Sandpoint Rotary. The .8 acre park also includes picnic tables and pedestal
BBQ's.
3rd Avenue Pier
is a 1/4 acre neighborhood park developed in 1995 for the need to provide more
waterfront access and to address safety concerns of an old sewer outfall
structure that predated the dams. Located on South 3rd Avenue, this park
provides: 2 benches, picnic table, swimming and wading areas, 2200 sq. ft. of
green space, and 1100 sq. ft. deck.
The Sandpoint Outdoor Shooting
Range is a 6 acre park
located on Baldy Mountain Road and has been improved to its current condition in
1990. Amenities include: 14 covered shooting lanes with benches and stools, pole
barn style structure used for weather protection, 12' x 12' secure storage /
rangemaster facility, emergency telephone for communication with the City Police
Department, and 6' chain link fence around entire range perimeter. Scheduling
for the range is through the city and is open to the public only when volunteer
rangemasters are present.
Sandpoint Community Hall
is a log framed structure
located at 204 S. 1st Street. This building is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places and is one of the focal points of the city. The main portion
of the building is log and was constructed by the United Servicemen Overseas (USO)
in 1936 for the servicemen stationed at Farragut Naval Station. An addition of
840 square feet was added in 1945 by the Boy Scouts of America and is still used
by that organization. The 5400 sq. ft. building contains a large kitchen, large
meeting room "floor were just redone", 2 small meeting rooms, and restroom
facilities. To reserve this facility contact the City Clerks Office: (208)
263-3317 To download the clean up check list to be turned into the Clerks
Office when returning the key
CLICK HERE
Covered picnic areas at City
Beach, Lakeview, Travers, or Farmin Parks are available for reservation. Fee is
$30 for the whole day. Reservation notice is posted at the location to advise
others of your reservation. To make a reservation, please call Sandpoint Parks &
Rec. Department at 263-3613. To print the reservation application
CLICK HERE
The Dog Beach is a cool
little beach not far from City Beach on the side of the Long Bridge. Walk about
a couple hundred yards past the Conoco along the bike path 'til you come to the
small sandy beach. Since dogs are not allowed at City Beach this is a nice
alternative.
Sam Owen Park is next to our old
home on the Hope Peninsula, 17 miles east of Sandpoint on Highway 200. The
campground is run by Forest Service, and was donated by pioneers Sam and Nita
Owen. It has 80 camp units, 1 group
picnic site, 18 family picnic units, covered picnic shelter with 6 tables, flush
toilets, potable water, boat ramp, beach, dump station.
Attractions: Lake Pend
Oreille, fishing, swimming, boating. There is a fee,
with an additional fee for a second vehicle. There is a special day use fee as
well.
Albeni Falls Dam Recreation Area
The Albeni Falls Dam area offers four recreation sites along the
Pend
Oreille River with sandy beaches, boat ramps and campgrounds.
 The river's
winding path through the
mountains offers protection from severe winds, creating a safe place for all
types of small boating. Guided tours of the powerhouse may be arranged during
the summer months. Albeni Cove Recreation Area near the dam has a boat ramp,
swimming and picnic area. Priest River Recreation Site has a boat ramp, camping
and dump stations. Riley Creek has a boat ramp, swimming, camping and hiking.
Springy Point south of Sandpoint has a boat ramp, camping and an RV dump
station.
Springy Point Recreation Area
is located on the shores of the Pend Oreille (pond o'ray) River with views of
the Cabinet and Selkirk Mountains. The campground offers 38 campsites
(no-hookups). Park gates lock at 10 pm and reopen at 7 am. Other amenities
include a dump station, hot showers, a boat ramp, pay phone, a swimming beach
and beautiful sunsets over the Pend Oreille. Area attractions include shopping
in Sandpoint, Silverwood Theme Park about 15 minutes south on US 95 and biking
or hiking across the Long Bridge into Sandpoint. The Schweitzer Mountain Resort
30 miles away offers mountain biking adventures. Throughout the summer the
Festival of Sandpoint provides the camper with the opportunity to attend a
concert or symphony. For the bird watchers or moose watchers, a short trip up to
the Pack River Area to watch wildlife provides a great day trip.
Trestle Creek Recreation Area
Eagles are frequent winter visitors along this shoreline
and ospreys fish these waters spring, summer, and fall. But these wildlife
creatures are not the only visitors. For those who want to take advantage of the
great open water access for boating, swimming, or enjoying a picnic, Trestle
Creek Recreation Area is a great stop. The day use area maintained by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers and is complete with boat launch, restrooms, picnic
tables, and swimming beach. Privately operated RV parks are adjacent neighbors
for extended visits.
Farragut State Park
is located 30 miles north of Coeur d’Alene on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille,
Idaho’s largest
lake. Once the world’s second largest naval training station, today the
 4,000-acre
park provides a multitude of recreation opportunities. To the traditional activities of picnicking, swimming, boating, hiking
and camping; visitors can add playing disc golf, visiting the Farragut Naval
Training Center Museum, taking advantage of the orienteering course, model
airplane flyer’s field, taking the kids to the playground, and using the
horseshoe pits and sand volleyball courts.
Other Areas along the Pend Oreille Byway
Other Idaho Parks, National Monuments, &
National Forests:
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