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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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100 years ago in North Idaho: Plans for highway move to Lookout Pass; new road to connect Harrison with Coeur d’Alene

A main route between Taft, Montana, and Wallace, Idaho, called the North Pacific Highway was about to be relocated to Lookout Pass because it is choked with snow for a long period, the Spokane Daily Chronicle reported on March 18, 1919. Idaho and Montana authorities had agreed to work together on the relocation of the highway from its present site several miles away in the Bitterroot Range. (S-R archives)

The “North Pacific Highway” route over the Bitterroot Range was about to be moved several miles south, so that it would cross the divide at Lookout Pass.

This was the main road between Taft, Montana, and Wallace, Idaho, roughly similar to today’s Interstate 90.

“The present route is choked with snow at a long period of the year,” said an Idaho highway official. “By changing the route now, future construction work will be facilitated and a grade reduction of 380 feet will be secured in the five miles from Pottsville (a defunct Idaho town) to the summit of Lookout Pass. The Montana authorities have agreed to connect with the cutoff on their side of the line.”

In other Idaho highway news, authorities said that they planned to start construction “on the great scenic route on the east shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene” later in the year, connecting Coeur d’Alene with Harrison.

From the court beat: Clinton A. Lathrop, on trial for murdering his wife and injuring his daughter, gave the following less-than-convincing account of the shootings.

“I know we were talking together. Then I heard the report of a gun, and then I can’t remember anything until I found myself up on a hill near a schoolhouse.”

He did admit, however, that he had taken a gun with him to talk to his wife about their pending divorce. His attorney was pursuing an insanity defense.