100 years ago in Coeur d’Alene: Officials map out road around lake to connect towns

Highway officials outlined an ambitious plan to construct a road along the east shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene, connecting Harrison with Coeur d’Alene.

“The road will extend from a juncture with the Fourth of July canyon road at Wolf Lodge,” and then extend south through Harrison and eventually on to St. Maries.

“It taps a rich farming district of bench lands” and “will be one of the most picturesque stretches of highway in the Northwest.”

Voters would be asked to approve a bond issue for constructing the road, and the Spokane Daily Chronicle said voter “sentiment is said to be overwhelmingly in favor.” The project would also use state and federal money.

The paper predicted that Spokane motorists would be able to drive to Harrison within two years.

From the theater beat: Spokane organized a local chapter of the National Drama League, with the aim of bringing quality plays to Spokane.

Sarah Truax Albert, dramatic director for the chapter, wrote that “there was a time when the city was known as a good show town.” But that distinction had faded, and the city was now “stumbling along, as usual, with the industrial pursuits in the lead.”

The Drama League was organizing play-reading circles and amateur theatrics, as well as developing “intelligent audiences” for resident and touring productions.

“The stage is where we should hear our own language beautifully spoken, see our own ideals of life mirrored,” Albert wrote. “Must this be barred from Spokane through our indifference?”