Sand Creek Byway 'treasures' go on to display in Sandpoint

There’s more to a new highway than what motorists see on the surface – black asphalt, white and yellow lines, and guardrails.

Excavation on highway construction projects often opens a window to the region’s past – historic and cultural treasures that gradually have been covered through the ages. Such was the case with the Sand Creek Byway in Sandpoint.

Many of the priceless artifacts unearthed during construction were carefully cleaned and preserved for future generations. Some of the best pieces will be displayed, beginning Friday (Aug. 16) at the Bonner County Historical Society and Museum. A public unveiling of the treasures, primarily the remnants of Native American and Chinese inhabitants, is planned Aug. 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 611 S. Ella Ave., in Sandpoint.

ITD sponsored the exhibit, “Digging into the Past: Uncovering Sandpoint’s Hidden History.” Marc Munch, the department’s state highway archaeologist, worked with the historical society to create the display.

“Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about Sandpoint’s early years from artifacts found quite literally beneath our feet,” organizers advise.

“When archaeologists excavated in the area east of Sand Creek prior to construction of the Highway 95 bypass, they unearthed remnants of the original townsite, including boarding houses, commercial stores, a Chinese enclave and an ‘entertainment’ district.”

Some of the displayed items include patent medicine and champagne bottles, animal bones and children’s toys.

The exhibit explores the history lessons behind the archaeological finds – “what they tell us about unrecorded community history, and some of the puzzles that still remain."

The exhibit opening is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Bonner County Historical Society and Museum, (208) 263-2344 or visit its website at: bchs@frontier.com

See related Transporter articles published previously:

2010:
Sand Creek Archaeology
Sandpoint Dig

2006:
Highway artifacts

Published 8-9-13