Last Christmas ... at the Roosevelt Inn

When John and Tina Hough host their annual Christmas open house at the Roosevelt Inn next month, a donation bucket for Christmas for All will be sitting by the front door. 

“I’d love to see that thing so full we have to empty it two or three times to take to CFA,” John Hough said. “We'd really like to see a lot of people.” 

This is likely the Houghs' last Christmas in the historic Roosevelt Inn, formerly the Roosevelt School, built in 1905 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.   

After operating the bed and breakfast for 25 years, the Houghs have reached an agreement to sell it to Blue Fern Development based in Redmond, Wash. The company is planning townhouses on the property and a neighoring piece of land, and has agreed to leave the Roosevelt Inn standing and find a buyer for it. 

That makes the Houghs happy.

They love the old brick building, love Christmas and want this one to be among the best. 

As usual, they have decorated every corner, wall and stairway of the inn with trees, nativity scenes, Santas, wreaths, nutcrackers and stockings.  

“You can’t turn around without bumping into Christmas here somewhere,” Tina Hough said, smiling.

“The Roosevelt at Christmas is a special time," John Hough said.

The North Idaho Bed and Breakfast Association open house is scheduled at the Roosevelt Inn from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 8. There will be music, Tina’s country bean soup, refreshments and a chance to tour the inn, perhaps for the last time. 

Donations will be accepted for CFA and the food bank. 

Open houses will also be held at The Blackwell Hotel in Coeur d’Alene and The River Cove in Post Falls. 

Tina Hough said many have asked if this is a bittersweet time. She said it’s not. She and John are ready for life’s next chapter, to make new memories in new places.

“Now, it’s just sweet,” she said. “We're ready to turn the page and move on.” 

The Houghs will also be selling most of their Christmas decorations collected over decades. People are welcome to make offers on items at the open house and negotiate with John Hough.

“He’s the bargain master,” Tina Hough said, laughing. 

When news of the Roosevelt Inn’s pending sale and possible demolition was reported in The Press earlier this year, more than 6,000 signed an online petition calling for it to be saved. John Hough is hoping to see some of those folks attend the open house and donate.

"Actually see the building that many have never been in,” John Hough said. “This is their opportunity to come contribute to the community and give us a good sendoff.” 

John Hough and his siblings attended the Roosevelt School. His father, Bob Hough, was the school's PTA president for a time. 

Both Houghs are confident this sale to Blue Fern will close soon. Previous ones have fallen through for various reasons. They believe the Roosevelt Inn has many good years ahead. The brick building at 106 E. Wallace Ave. has served as a school, office building and bed and breakfast.

“It could be a whole new life,” Tina Hough said. 

John Hough jokingly refers to the open house and this final Christmas season at the Roosevelt as their “end of world tour.” 

“This is kind of it for the Roosevelt and the Houghs,” he said. 

    An ornament that depicts the Roosevelt School hangs on a Christmas tree at the Roosevelt Inn.
  

    A Santa Claus decorating the Roosevelt Inn will be for sale at the Dec. 8 open house.
  

    A nativity scene hangs on the wall of the Roosevelt Inn.