First Northern Idaho became home to the Aryan Nations compond near Hayden Lake Idaho, then Bo Gritz's "Covenant Community" named "Almost Heaven" near Kamiah Idaho.
Now maybe it will be a new group of Right Wing doomsday Preppers named the Citadel near St. Maries Idaho.
Survivalist group, The Citadel, eyes North Idaho
Audrey Dutton | Boise Statesman
The project would be a “martial endeavor designed to protect residents in times of peril” and “built as a fortified bastion of liberty,” according to the group’s website.
The plan is to build a community with a fortified castle and firearms museum in addition to typical city features like a bank, jail and library. The complex would have 3,500 to 7,000 families living on about 2,000 to 3,000 acres in Benewah County south of Coeur d’Alene, according to the website.
The group picked Benewah County because of its sparse population and “shared world-view” of independence, self-sufficiency and patriotism, the website said.
The group has purchased 20 acres atop a mountain in the county and hopes to break ground shortly after summer 2013, the website said. More than 200 families have already applied to join the Citadel, according to its website.
Residents would have to agree to conditions that include: Following federal and state constitutions. Being able to shoot a man-sized steel target at various distances with a handgun and a rifle. Having an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle variant, at least five magazines and 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Keeping every household stocked with a year’s worth of food, water and supplies. Taking courses on topics such as basic medical care and firearms safety. Carrying a loaded sidearm when visiting the Citadel’s town center.
This comes from the groups's
website.
The Citadel is evolving as a planned community where residents are bound together by:
*Patriotism
*Pride in American Exceptionalism
*Our proud history of Liberty as defined by our Founding Fathers, and
*Physical preparedness to survive and prevail in the face of natural catastrophes — such as Hurricanes Sandy or Katrina — or man-made catastrophes such as a power grid failure or economic collapse.
To make sure they won't attract the "wrong" types of people they explicitly spell out who won't be welcome.
Marxists, Socialists, Liberals and Establishment Republicans will likely find that life in our community is incompatible with their existing ideology and preferred lifestyles.
Citadel Features
III Arms Factory
Curtain Wall & Towers
Main Gate
John Parker Town Green
Town Hall
Community Armory
Citadel Firearms Museum
Farmer's Market
Medical Center
Retirement Facility
Citadel Schools
Boarding School
Library
Tourist Visitor Center
Town Center - Retail/Commercial
Houses/Townhomes/Condos
Canals
Lake/Ponds
Firearms Ranges
Archery Range
Sports Fields
Hotel
III Bank
Churches
Power Plant
Underground Shelter
Post Office
Fire House
Stockade/Jail
Grounds Building
Biomass Plant
Walking Trails
Orchards/Gardens/Parks
Outdoor Pavilions
Large Amphitheatre
Command & Control Center
Media Center
Airstrip
Helipad
Shuttle System
Parking Center
The Northern Idaho has my sympathy. I'm not sure what Right Wing extremists keep finding so attractive about the region. Yes it is a very conservative area. When I spent a couple of days near St. Maries in August my car's liberal bumper stickers were the object of much interest, and comments pointing them out among the locals who walked by it. In the 2012 election Benewah County voted for Romney 62.4% compared to 34.0% for Obama.
Hat tip to Renfriend for bringing this to my attention.