TGIF Wild Card — 5.12.17

Landscape architect Jon Mueller introduced me to F.A. Blackwell last night in his soon-to-be-released history of Coeur d’Alene’s City Park: “Private Park: Public Park.” Blackwell established an electric train that transported visitors from Spokane to the terminus at what is now Independence Point and then took extracted natural resources the other way. He pushed creation of City Park, which was originally much larger and bore his name, and built a hotel nearby to take advantage of the tourists. In other words, he was the original Bob Templin or Duane Hagadone. Blackwell Island still carries his name. I’m eager to read on. Here’s your Wild Card …