Huckleberries Thursday:

Almost 17 years ago, Mrs. O and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at the former home of George and Mary Jewett, a stately building at the 15th Street entrance to Sanders Beach and Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Beautiful day. Beautiful lake. Beautiful wife. Beautiful venue.

The Jewett House is to Coeur d’Alene what the Grace Campbell House is to Spokane. Now, the American Foursquare structure is used as a senior activities center and a venue for weddings and events. But back in the day, it was home to the Jewetts and their children, Margaret and Fritz. George Jewett, grandson of Weyerhaeuser Company founder Friedrich Weyerhaeuser, managed the old Rutledge Timber Company mill (current site of the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course). Later, he became president of Potlatch Forests.

Jewett was known for his progressive ideas on forest conservation and, together with his wife, for philanthropy. The Jewett name remained on the house after they moved to Spokane in the 1937. In 1978, Potlatch deeded the Jewett House to the city of Coeur d’Alene to be used as a senior center.

Why am I telling you all this? The Jewett House Centennial Board is planning a bash on Sept. 10, to celebrate the building’s 100th anniversary. Construction began in 1915 and was completed in 1917. Event organizers are hammering out the details. But Huckleberries has learned that a book is in the works, compiled by the Idaho Writer’s League. Stay tuned to Huckleberries for more info. Full column here.

Question: Have you attended an event at the Jewett House?