Amenities

No amenities.

History

This site hosted some of the earliest settlers to the town of Sandpoint. Not far from here, in the early 2000s, the state’s largest historical archaeological excavation was done on the site of the early town. Nearly half a million artifacts were recovered, offering poignant clues into Sandpoint’s beginnings on Sand Creek alongside the Northern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s. Excavations uncovered hundreds of champagne bottles served by one of the bordellos; marbles, toys and doll parts; fancy tableware; and paraphernalia from smoking opium, which was legal at the time. This property may have had a similar beginning as a nearby town site. 

This particular property was first privately owned by John LeHuguet in 1908. His family member, Josephine LeHuguet, was given the honor of naming the first street in Sandpoint — she chose the name Pine Street.

The property is now owned by Kaniksu Land Trust, a nonprofit committed to preserving the area’s rural landscapes and natural resources. Sand Creek is an important part of the larger ecosystem, and as with all naturally-occurring creeks and wetlands, helps protect against drought, wildfire, and other natural disasters.