Charles and Mary Olson had prospered during their first decade in Sandpoint after moving the family from Rhinelander, Wisconsin in 1903. So in 1915 he bought the house on the southwest corner of Church and Fourth, demolished it, and hired architect and builder H. L. Mountjoy to build his new home. Mountjoy built an Arts and Crafts bungalow of one and a half stories, liberally using old growth Douglas-fir for the interior woodwork. The younger daughter, Judith (far right in family picture), was married in the house in 1924. The Olsons sold the house in 1935 to William and Maybelle Nieman, heads of a prominent Sandpoint family who owned a soda fountain in town and, later, a florist shop and music business on Cedar Street. Like Judith Olson, the Nieman's daughter was married in the house. The Niemans sold the house in December, 1941, to Frank Taylor who in turn sold it a year later to my grandparents, Vic and Elmah Barber. Logging and sawmilling supported Pappy and his family of five sons through the 30's and 40's. And the Barbers celebrated two weddings in the house during the war years, including that of my parents in December, 1944. In the spring of 1947 Pappy was eager to explore the newly opened Alaska Highway. What started as a hunting trip resulted in Pappy sending for the family and selling the Church Street House to Margaret Long. For a time, second thoughts of the wisdom of living in Alaska had the Barbers splitting time between Fairbanks and another house in Sandpoint at 701 Sixth. The Church Street House received its name to distinguish it from the other house, The Sixth Street House. Margaret, an osteopath, set up her treatment table in the dining room and used the living room as a waiting area for patients. When Margaret died in 1952 her brother Oliver and his wife Kittie inherited the home. Oliver died not long after and for two more decades Kittie lived there alone, renting three upstairs rooms individually. It seems there are few old time Sandpoint residents who didn't rent a room from Kittie at some time in the 50's, 60's, or 70's. Upon Kittie's death in 1977 the property passed to a collection of owners who used it as office space--first a title company, later a chiropractor's office. In 1988 one of the chiropractors, Michael Trowbridge, bought out the other owners and established his practice downstairs while he lived with his family upstairs. Through the 90's when Heather and I visited my parents in Sagle we would also visit the Church Street House and attempt to buy it from the Trowbridges. By 1999 they relented and we started making plans for a Bed and Breakfast. The year 2001 was filled with demolition and construction as the Church Street House was restored to a middle class residence of the 20's and 30's. Layers of improvements were cleared away to reveal the tight grained, old growth Douglas-fir that H. L. Mountjoy had used for the interior woodwork eighty five years previously. Two guest rooms with private baths were created, each filled with art and family photos from Texas, whence they came to Sandpoint, and Alaska, to where they departed. Heather, Laika, Alan. See pictures of the Renovation of Church Street House, 2001-2002

Church Street House, Sandpoint, Idaho. Both guest rooms feature new, spacious, private baths. Central air conditioning. Near town center-close to historic district, shopping, beach, restaurants. Fresh squeezed orange juice and fruit is followed by a delicious, hot breakfast in the dining room where you can watch Sandpoint coming to life through the beautiful bay window. We serve local, organic produce in the summer months, and eggs year round. The Barber family came to Sandpoint in 1934 after more than a century in Texas. The Texas Room honors that century with a Texas theme, art, and family pictures. The Barber family left Sandpoint in 1947 for Alaska. The Alaska Room honors those years through art, family pictures, and a small library of Alaskana. Reservations: 1-208-255-7094 or email: innkeeper@churchstreethouse.com

Gammy was more than a little upset when Pappy sold the family home in Sandpoint to move to Alaska in 1947. Fifty-two years later we bought it back and carefully renovated it to evoke the spirit of the 20's and 30's and to share the home and our family history with others. Gammy would be proud The main floor is devoted to the inn. So with only two guest rooms, you have the space, comfort, and serenity to take your ease. The inn's Arts and Crafts Bungalow architecture earned it a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Period antiques complement the extensive Douglas-fir woodwork. When you're not curled in front of the fireplace with a good book or listening to some Benny Goodman on the antique Stewart radio, enjoy Sandpoint: restaurants, skiing, the beach, golf, sailing, fishing, horseback riding, antique shopping, hiking, water skiing, parasailing Church Street House, 401 Church Street, Sandpoint, Idaho 83864. What do our guests have to say about Church Street House? Reservations: 1-208-255-7094 or email: innkeeper@churchstreethouse.com

There's lots to do in Sandpoint year round! Three Sandpoint websites cover the basics: Sandpoint CofC Visitor Info. The high points of Sandpoint's social season are: Festival at Sandpoint. And our very own magazine. For skiing, of course, it's. Bonner County Human Rights Task Force. Pend d'Oreille Winery. Ross photographed every wedding at Church Street House, and much more: Ross Hall Photographic Prints. Bonner County Historical Museum. North Idaho Bed and Breakfast Association. Bed and Breakfast Center. Visit the rest of Idaho, too!

Our Texas room boasts a most comfortable queen size, brass bed, an early 1900's fitted armoire for storing your belongings in, and room to move about. $125.00 hi season or $115.00 off season, 10% discount on stays of 4 or more days. Hi season: June through September, and Christmas. The Stained glass by local artist, Patricia Barkley gives this bath a little kick as well as some privacy. Slip into the slipper tub for a nice, hot soak, or if you prefer, an overhead shower ring gives you that option as well.

When you cozy up in the Alaska room you're sure to enjoy the comfortable queen size, brass bed, early 1900's fitted armoire, and prints by the late Claire Fejes, a well known Fairbanks artist and author. This room has a spacious bath outfitted with both a claw foot tub and full size tile shower. Note the Tlingit design on the tiles which were hand painted by local artist, Nancy Eyer. Rates: $110.00 hi season or $100.00 off season, 10% discount for stays of 4 or more days.

Two night minimum stay. One night's deposit (or credit card) will hold your reservation, refundable on one week's notice. Also refundable if room subsequently rented. Adults and children over fourteen years welcome. Church Street House is a no smoking, no pets inn. Click for scalable map in new window

 Guest rooms have air conditioning
 Central situation
 Heating
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Parking lot
 Fridge
 Private/Ensuite bathroom