'Windows to our past'

COEUR d’ALENE — It’s not surprising that the executive director of the Museum of North Idaho loves preserving history.

What might be surprising is how much it means to her at a personal level.

“It breaks my heart every time I hear about one of our historic buildings being torn down,” wrote Britt Thurman. “Preservation doesn't have to halt progress. There are so many amazing cases of adaptive reuse that allow for progress and preservation to coexist. We just have to make it a priority for our community.”

The recent demolition of the E. Lakeshore Drive 1925 home of the late Dr. E.R.W. "Ted" Fox and the historic Roosevelt Inn possibly facing the same fate has pushed Coeur d’Alene's history, and its disappearing pieces, to the forefront. 

Nearly 2,000 people have signed an online petition as of Saturday afternoon calling for the old Roosevelt School to be saved. Other residents lamented the loss of the former Fox home.

Walter Burns, chairman of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission, said there should be a review process before historic structures can be torn down.

“Currently, a building owner just needs to get an over-the-counter demo permit and then tear it down,” he wrote. “No review involved.”

The HPC is working on a review process for older buildings where members can review an imminent demolition to discuss and offer input before the building comes down. 

“Such a review might also offer the opportunity to salvage any artifacts or building elements before demolition,” Burns wrote.

He cited the Hamilton House on Government Way, near The Roosevelt Inn, as an example of what can happen when citizens unite on behalf of history.

The Hamilton House was built in 1908 for the second mayor of the city, Boyd Hamilton, and his wife, Alta. It was on the brink of destruction a few years ago, before then-Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer and Windermere/Coeur d'Alene Realty Inc. owner Donald "Pepper" Smock bought the property for $500,001 from Kootenai County. Today, it serves as the home of the Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene.

Burns said the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot and the old Elks and Wiggett buildings in downtown Coeur d'Alene are other examples of historic structures that were renovated and useful today.

“Much of Coeur d’Alene’s character and vibrancy comes from its historic downtown and surrounding neighborhoods,” Burns told the City Council.

Blue Fern Development, based in Redmond, Wash., is in the process of buying the Roosevelt Inn on Wallace Avenue with reported plans to demolish it and build townhouses. 

The building was home to the Roosevelt School built in 1905. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was converted into an inn about 30 years ago.

Longtime owners John and Tina Hough have been trying to sell it with plans to retire. Previous deals have fallen through.

Thurman said the area’s history sets it apart from other communities.

“It's what makes Coeur d'Alene unique. Historic structures are the most visible windows to our past. Without them, we become Anywhere, USA and lose our sense of unique identity,” she wrote.

Thurman said many people don't consciously think about history every day and don't realize that they're still experiencing history just by being around historic buildings. 

“They teach us about the past without us even knowing it,” Thurman said. “Buildings aren't just physical spaces; they're repositories for memories.”

Another historic part of Coeur d'Alene, the J.C. White House, was saved from demolition in 2018 when it was moved from Eighth Street and Sherman Avenue to the base of Tubbs Hill to serve as the future home of the Museum of North Idaho. The museum hopes to open there later this year.

“We heard over and over again stories from people who were married there,” Thurman wrote. “If that building had been demolished, their tangible connection to the place where they began their life together as a couple would be gone. Once a historic building is gone, it's gone forever. There's no taking that decision back. It can't be undone.”

Thurman said there are many buildings in Coeur d'Alene and across North Idaho that have deep histories but have been torn down. 

“It seems to be happening more frequently lately, and we need to decide what we want for our community," Thurman wrote. "Do we want to see and feel history all around us or do we want it to be relegated to books and museums?”

Thurman said there are studies that show the strongest cities have rich cultural heritage and pointed to a report on the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation website.

“The cultural and historic resources of a community tell the story of its past and make any single community distinct from other places. These resources provide tangible connections to the people and events that have shaped our communities and our collective histories,” it said. “Preserving the physical reminders of our past creates a sense of place and community pride.”

It went on to say that historic preservation generates a wide range of economic benefits.

Another effort to honor and recognize the city's history is expected to be finalized this year. The HPC previously nominated the Garden District to the National Register of Historic Places. 

The Garden District is one of Coeur d’Alene’s oldest neighborhoods, represented primarily by residences dating to the 1895-1940 period.

It is roughly bound by Fifth Street to the west, 11th Street to the east, Montana Avenue to the north, and Lakeside Avenue to the south.

Burns said many of the city's earlier leaders lived in the Garden District.

If adopted, it will become the first Idaho district to be added to the national register in more than a decade, he said.

Zoe Ann Thruman, who was involved in efforts to save the Hamilton House, wrote that as much as people want the Houghs to be able to sell the property, “in the hearts and minds of the community of Coeur d'Alene, demolition is out of the question.”

She wrote that the Roosevelt School was the first high school in Coeur d’Alene. She said it was visited by President Theodore Roosevelt and is the last of the Queen Anne architecture in North Idaho. 

Thruman is part of a coalition of citizens and business owners who want to save the Roosevelt. Preliminary ideas include finding benefactors to submit a secondary offer on the building and property.

She urged people to “join us in fighting to save this beautiful, historic landmark, and preserve the historic culture of our town.” 

Don Pischner, District 1 trustee, Idaho State Historical Society, is a Roosevelt grad school alumnus.

“I wish to be of record in support of preserving the Historic Roosevelt School, and preventing its destruction, with the understanding that the property value belonging to the Houghs be protected,” he wrote.

Jeffrey Ward, who started the petition, wrote the proposed demolition “threatens to erase this significant part of our heritage.”

He wrote that the former school has served as a wedding venue, an architectural icon and a monument to local education. 

“The Roosevelt School is not just an old building; it's an integral part of our community's identity,” Ward wrote. “Its architecture reflects the historical period it was built in and serves as a reminder of how far we've come in terms of education and civil rights.”