about sandpoint   The population of Sandpoint is approximately 7,000 (2000). The approximate number of families is 2,451 (1990). The amount of land area in Sandpoint is 9.996 sq. kilometers. The amount of surface water is 2.144 sq kilometers. Sandpoint is positioned 48.27 degrees north of the equator and 116.55 degrees west of the prime meridian. Sandpoint elevation is 2,070 feet above sea level. Located on Highway 95 in the northern panhandle of Idaho just 60 miles from the Canadian border. Located at the north end of Pend Oreille Lake. Sandpoint celebrated its 100th birthday on February 7, 2001 Sandpoint was first incorporated as a village on February 7, 1901. At the time what is now Bonner County was part of Kootenai County. The Village became a city on January 15, 1907 when it was once again incorporated, but this time as a city. The Bonner County Historical Museum, with pioneer relics and other historical items chronicle the past with emphasis on the Kootenai Indians and the local lumber industry, is walking distance from The Meandering Moose Motel at 905 Ontario St. Their phone number is 208-263-2344. Lake Pend Oreille is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Pacific northwest. It was named for a local Indian tribe which the French called Pend Oreilles because of the pendants they wore in their ear lobes. The lake is 1,150 feet deep with many scenic coves. There is great fishing as the lake is stocked with Kamloop rainbow trout. Other features of the lake include: boating, swimming and tennis. A guided boat tour is available. The Sandpoint Winter Carnival is held each winter in January with two weekends of activities and competitions, including snow sculpting and a "polar bear" plunge in the lake. Schweitzer Mountain at 6,400 feet above sea level as some of the best skiing and snowboarding conditions in the Northwest. It is 11 miles from The Meandering Moose. Sandpoint is located 58 miles NE of Spokane, Washington (center to center) and 271 miles E of Seattle, Washington. The area now covered by the City of Sandpoint was used by the Salish Tribes as a summer camping ground. David Thompson explored the area in 1807. The European and the Chinese settlers first came in the city in the 1880s. The area was originally served by the Northern Pacific Railroad. It was incorporated in 1898. Lumber was one of the major industries of the area. In fact, there were several lumber companies that operated in the city since 1896. Things to do when in Sandpoint: Boating Water skiing Skiing Hiking Biking/Mountain Biking Hunting and Fishing Bonner County Fair (July) Timberfest Festival at Sandpoint (August) Winter Carnival (January) Schweitzer Bluegrass Festival Lost In The '50's (May) Latitude 48.277, Longitude -116.551