Newport’s Railroad Future Takes Shape in a $150,000 Yard

The Idaho & Washington Northern Railroad will soon begin construction of their Newport yards, and The Miner is able to give authentic information regarding the plans of the company. From the plans as outlined it is evident that the company will furnish Newport the best of terminal facilities, and will be able to handle in the best manner possible all traffic originating here and from the river country. The local yards are to be built along the same lines as everything else undertaken by the company, and are planned to accommodate a largely increased business from this section. Every manufacturing establishment and industry in the city will be furnished switching facilities except the Eagle mill, which is south of the Great Northern tracks. The main line will be extended northward from its present terminus on Pine Street, and Newport Avenue down past the Coulter & Buttons planer and then past the Fidelity mill. Near Coulter's mill a switch will leave the main track and run in a northeasterly direction through the yards formerly occupied by the McInnis Lumber Co., to a point at the north end of old town, as platted. The switch will then curve toward the river and run in front of the steam laundry, and continue in a southerly direction to the intersection of First Street and Idaho Avenue. From this point it will run in a southwesterly direction to the junction with the main line at Third Street and Newport Avenue. From a point on the loop near First Street and Idaho Avenue, in old town, a switch will be constructed to the docks of the Pend d'Oreille Navigation Co. A switch will also be built to furnish loading facilities for the Lindsley Bros.' pole yard, adjoining the Great Northern tracks. The passenger depot will be built in block 16, where the temporary station is located at present. The freight depot will be located in block 2, just one block east of The Miner office. Large yards for handling the business of the company will be constructed in blocks 2, 8 and 9. At least $150,000 will be expended by the company in providing the necessary terminal facilities at this point. This will include the cost of the freight and passenger stations, team track, industrial warehouse and transfer tracks and the construction of the loop. Work will be started on the improvements as soon as the weather will permit, and it is hoped to have them completed within 90 days. The extension of the line from this city down the river has not been officially announced, but there seems little question as to its construction. Many of the settlers on the west side of the river in the Calispel valley want the road on their side, if possible to secure it. They claim that they can furnish a much larger tonnage and a more level route. They say that there is but little valley land on the east side of the river while they have a large and very fertile valley on their side. A committee of property owners from the west side are preparing to go to Spirit Lake to confer with the Messrs. Blackwell and see if they cannot land the prize for their side of the river. It has not been announced where the new bridge will be constructed in case the company should favor the east side. If the west side is chosen no bridge would be needed until the road reaches the Metaline country. At that point it would be easy to obtain a suitable location at a much less cost than near this city. The 'Y' through the Jaynes tract on the west of the city will be abandoned and the tract used for residence purposes. In order to obtain the right-of-way for the loop and industrial tracks the company has recently purchased several pieces of property in both towns. In new town they secured the west half of block 10 and all of block 11, now occupied by the Spirit Valley planer. In old town the residence of Chas. Storms, a part of the old Burns homestead owned by Christian Ziegler and the Mrs. Held property was obtained. In this connection it may be stated that the Commercial Club is in a position to furnish free manufacturing sites along the line of the new road in this city to any parties who can furnish tonnage. There are some choice sites along the main line and loop and we expect to see some of them utilized before long as Newport has the best of shipping facilities.