Peeling back Rathdrum history
Courtesy of RATHDRUM/WESTWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY Westwood Brewing Company recently opened in Rathdrum. The building was built in 1886 and was the first brick building in the county. The building has been home to multiple businesses, including a bank, the Blue Bird Café, The Westwood Inn and Steakhouse, The Westwood Saloon.
LOREN BENOIT/PressWestwood Brewing Company, located at 8162 Main St. in Rathdrum, is open seven days a week. The brewery opens at 3 p.m. everyday and has karaoke every Friday at 9 p.m.
LOREN BENOIT/Press The brewery’s atmosphere is a mold of old and new with original brick and wood accents.
LOREN BENOIT/Press Westwood Brewing Company has turned the original bank vault into a liquor cabinet.
LOREN BENOIT/Press Danielle Howell, co-owner of Westwood Brewing Co. in Rathdrum, poses for a portrait on June 2 with historic photos of the brewery. The building has been a bank, cafe, inn, saloon, steakhouse and other businesses.
Courtesy Photo Spencer and Danielle Howell and Shaun and Jen Howell are owners of Westwood Brewing Company and pose for a photo in front of their brewery, which was once a saloon.
Courtesy of RATHDRUM/WESTWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY Louis A. Larson added onto the building and opened the Louis A Larson General Merchandise store shown in this photo.
By BRIAN WALKER
Staff Writer
RATHDRUM — Rathdrum's past has come alive with Westwood Brewing Co.
Renovation of the former Westwood Saloon on Main Street, built in 1886 and believed to be the first brick building in Kootenai County, has uncovered the former county seat's past.
Danielle Howell, one of the owners of the recently opened Westwood Brewing, said she didn't consider herself a history buff until taking off board by board of siding changed her tune.
The original storefront of the bank and hardware store was right behind that siding.
"The original windows and woodwork are all there, so we've exposed that," Howell said. "It's been really fascinating."
With the property next door, also owned by the brewery's owners, the outside signage of the former Louis A. Larson general merchandise store is still intact and will also be exposed.
"It was thrilling knowing that piece of history has been preserved under a roof all of these years," Howell said.
Howell owns the property with her husband, Spencer, and Shaun and Jen Howell. The restaurant portion of the business, which will serve pub-style food and steaks, is expected to open in early July.
Warren A. Hart constructed the building and ran his bank, Hart Exchange, there until around 1913. Henry Reiniger operated his hardware store next door.
The building has been home to several other businesses over the decades, including the Blue Bird Cafe, Westwood Inn and Steakhouse, and Westwood Saloon. It has survived the test of time, including at least two fires.
Howell said the property immediately caught the latest owners' attention, so they bought it in January.
"The arched windows and brick building were so beautiful that we thought it was the neatest building ever," she said. "Digging into the history has been really fun."
Inside are remnants of yesteryear, including the old wooden bar. The former bank vault is now a liquor cabinet.
The new owners came across several other intriguing finds such as a metal Copenhagen sign and antique cigarette and pop ads that are now being used as decorations.
In the basement, a car axle, of all items, was found in the foundation. Knick-knacks such as a tobacco tin and knife box were also discovered.
"I sent a picture of the axle to a friend who is very familiar with classic cars and he believes it dates back to the teens," Howell said. "We can't remove it."
She said more discoveries await.
"We haven't dug too much in the basement yet," she said. "There may be more down there."
Howell said she's shared the discoveries with the Rathdrum/Westwood Historical Society to enlighten the nonprofit's members.
Rathdrum was originally named Westwood after Charles Wesley Wood, a local Pony Express rider, rancher and land developer. The city became the county seat in 1881. Electors voted Coeur d'Alene as the county seat in 1908. Westwood's name was changed to Rathdrum in the late 1800s after an Ireland village that was the birthplace of a local businessman.
Howell said several locals have commented how they have connections to the old bank and hardware store building that's now Westwood Brewing.
"The building is so old that many people have a memory in it," Howell said.
She said one resident recalls when he was a youngster watching his father work on the walls.
Howell said the historical landmark is bound to be a conversation piece for years to come.
"We're excited to bring the building back to its former glory so that everyone can enjoy the history behind it," she said.