Bayview Historical Society
BAYVIEW, ID
dedicated to preserving the history of Bayview, Lakeview and other locations on Lake Pend Oreille
BAYVIEW TURNS 100 - SEE INFORMATION ON THE 2010 CENTENNIAL
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dedicated to preserving the history of Bayview, Lakeview and other locations on Lake Pend Oreille BAYVIEW TURNS 100 - SEE INFORMATION ON THE 2010 CENTENNIAL
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BAYVIEW CENTENNIAL 1910-2010 Summary Report Getting Started—Forming a Working Committee Informal discussions began in 2007 as local historian, Linda Hackbarth, reminded residents that Bayview’s centennial was a scant three years away and that the planning process for our celebration needed kick-starting soon. Formal mention of such an endeavor was noted at meetings of all local organizations garnering little response in terms of promotion. In early summer of ’08, a letter seeking volunteers to serve on a Centennial Committee went to BABs, Chamber, Council, Center Foundation Board, Float Home Owners Association, and Navy Base. Area residents not involved in the aforementioned were invited to participate through Shore Lines, a local newsletter. The first formal meeting was held in July, 2008, followed closely by a second. Only four attended (Linda Hackbarth, David and Patty Bennett, and Dorothy Zakrajsek). Not to be deterred, the group developed a list of about three dozen possible volunteers, representing a cross section of residents and business leaders, and invited them to the next meeting. Close to 30 responded, giving us confidence and encouragement. However, as monthly meetings progressed, the committee dwindled to eight, adding Jackie Lloyd, Jim Wilkuski, Laurie Mauser, and Kathi Ellis. Jackie acted as chair, and Kathi served as treasurer. Work, commitments, snowbirds, and loss of enthusiasm left a small but dedicated working nucleus. In the spring of 2009, Kathy Clark and Bonnie Hultstrand came on board, bringing abundant energy and a ‘ready-set-go’ commitment. Centennial Goals Early discussions focused on various ideas for promoting and celebrating our centennial. These discussions centered on programs, events, beginning and ending dates for the celebratory period, and dedicating some kind of memorial as a tribute to Bayview’s history. Within these discussions was the ever- present reality of funding. The committee’s work focused on four major activities: 1) create an awareness among Bayviewites of our forthcoming centennial, 2) plan a series of monthly programs that would span the first nine months of 2010, 3) settle on a memorial gift to the community, and 4) raise funds to underwrite centennial costs. Raising Awareness Centennial information and updates were reported at all local organization meetings and printed in the monthly Bayview newsletter. Fundraising through merchandizing required immediate attention to the production of saleable products. Local residents were encouraged to submit photos for note cards and a centennial calendar, black and white historic photos for reproduction into photo packs and enlarged prints, and artwork for our Centennial logo contest which was won by Linda Hackbarth. The winning logo was displayed on tee shirts, flags, posters, programs, and other merchandise. Event Planning & Memorial Gift The committee invited two representatives from Spirit Lake’s recent Centennial Committee to share ideas and information that might benefit us. After putting together a tentative list of activities and ideas for a memorial gift, about 300 surveys were hand distributed to households asking for input on these proposals, as well as suggestions for ideas not mentioned. After tallying the responses, a calendar of events was scheduled beginning January, 2010 and ending Labor Day weekend. (See the attached calendar.) The memorial gift suggestions were reduced to five. A final decision rested on written ballots taken at meetings of BABs, the Chamber, the Council, and an open town meeting. The choice was a Bayview Entry Sign Monument. Design and construction of the monument was completed by David Long, a local resident and owner/CEO of Lakeland Company, Inc. Lakes Highway District granted an encroachment permit so the sign could be placed on their property. Fundraising The committee decided on two basic fundraising projects—one through the sale of merchandise and memorabilia and the second through monetary donations. The first included tee shirts, note cards, historic photo packs, calendars, flags, posters, prints, and etched glassware (wine, beer, steins). Early inventories were made available by an advance from the Bayview Community Center Foundation which was repaid soon after. Sales began in late 2009 and continued through Labor Day, 2010. Profits were used to fund events. A major fundraising effort began in July, ’09 to underwrite the cost of the Memorial Entry Monument. This was accomplished by donations from residents, businesses, and a grant. Over $25.000 was raised to support all the centennial activities and projects. In closing, the committee expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the community for making our centennial a memorable celebration. No event such as this can hope to achieve success without the good will and help of its intended audience—the people of Bayview. Kudos to all who volunteered to help with events, attended and supported events, and/or bought merchandise. Without your support this would not have happened. In addition, our thanks to the Bayview Community Center Foundation Board, Bayview Community Council, Bayview Chamber of Commerce, Farragut State Park, Naval Acoustic Research Detachment, Kootenai Electric, and Dromore Manor, all of whom made significant in-kind contributions.
Senate Proclamation from Senator Jim Risch: Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Bayview, Idaho, a beautiful little hamlet on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille in north Idaho. On May 29, 2010, the residents of Bayview will gather to dedicate the Centennial Gift to Bayview, a beautiful entrance sign funded by local donations and designed by local artists. In addition to this ceremony, several other events are scheduled throughout the year to celebrate this great milestone. In 1910, the Prairie Development Company was formed by five businessmen from Spokane, WA. They platted the town on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, with visions of a bustling resort where Spokane’s well-to-do could step right off the train and enjoy a weekend retreat or summer residence. A shortline railroad was completed in 1911, and crowds soon followed.
Bayview is a place full of well-kept secrets. You could say Bayview built Spokane. The limestone deposits above the town and in nearby Lakeview supplied the processed lime that was used to construct many of the buildings in Spokane from the turn of the 20th century, well into the 1930s. Another little-known fact is that nearby Farragut State Park stands on the site of what was once Idaho’s largest city. In 1942, the U.S. Navy built Farragut Naval Training Station to train sailors for the fight against the Axis powers. Nearly 300,000 sailors were trained there, and at any given time from 1942 to 1946, the population exceeded 50,000 people. More recently, few people know Bayview’s role in helping the U.S. Navy build the quietest submarines in the world. After World War II ended, the Navy began to dismantle the training station, selling off the buildings and turning the land over to the State of Idaho. The Navy, however, did retain 20 acres on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille, where they built research facilities as well as an underwater acoustic testing range. At a depth of nearly 1,200 feet, the cold, calm waters of the lake provide an ideal range to test various hull designs, hull coatings and propulsion systems at a fraction of the cost of full-scale ocean-based testing. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the fantastic Independence Day celebrations in Bayview, where the fireworks echo off the surrounding cliffs and mountains, adding a thrilling dimension to the show. Despite the stunning beauty of its setting, Bayview remains a well-kept secret. I suspect it faithful residents prefer it that way. And even though it is a small town, it has made an outsized impact on the Inland Northwest and the security of the Nation. Congratulations, Bayview, on 100 years of proud, colorful history, and here’s wishing you 100 more. James Risch U.S. Senator for Idaho
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