Have you ever visited a place that’s so painfully beautiful it seems as though you’ve walked straight into an old-fashioned postcard? As it just so happens, Idaho is full of such places! But of all the enchanting spots Idaho can boast about, there is one particular historic gem that stands out as literally picture-perfect to many local photographers. Vibrant, charming, and flawlessly framed by trees, the Fort Sherman Chapel in Coeur d’Alene is basically a postcard come to life, and you’ll absolutely love it.

Idaho's panhandle is home to a great deal of state history, ranging from Native American tribal influences to European settlement, mining, and development.
D. Taylor in Idaho/Flickr
The Coeur d'Alene, Kalispel, and Koontenai tribes were pivotal to the culture of Northern Idaho, and their distinct history is woven into the very fabric of the region and seen in the blending of native and pioneer cultures in places such as the Mission of the Sacred Heart.
Built in 1880 by the U.S. Army, the Fort Sherman Chapel is the city's oldest church, school, library, and meeting hall, as well as a postcard-worthy piece of Idaho's unique history in the heart of Coeur d'Alene.
Debbie Berger/Flickr
Ft. Sherman is a truly unique remnant of this tumultuous period in Idaho's settlement history. In 1877, General William Tecumseh Sherman camped by Coeur d’Alene Lake and was so delighted by the scenery of the area that he recommended it as a site for a fort. Here, in 1878, his vision came true and the fort was renamed after him in 1887.

The chapel was built nearby just a few years later, and served multiple roles over the following decade until the fort campus was abandoned in 1900.

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But while this charming chapel is full of history, its vibrant red facade and remarkable charm is what makes it truly stand out... especially in winter.
Debbie Berger/Flickr
After being given to the Museum of North Idaho, much-needed repairs and restorations were made, bringing this picture-perfect chapel back to its former glory.
Of course, this quaint gem is completely photo-worthy in every season!
John Stanton/CC-BY-SA
Uniquely perfect, whether adorned with layers of pristine white snow or set against its idyllic backdrop of evergreens, this cozy chapel makes for an unforgettable wedding venue, and is available through the Museum of North Idaho for other small events as well. Fortunately, the interior is just as charming as the outside! 15 pews, a stunning central aisle, and the row of windows on each exterior wall makes the space a brightly-lit and lovely one.
Talk about a poscard come to life!
Kitty Ireland/Flickr
This adorable chapel is one of only 3 original buildings that remain from the Fort Chapel campus, the majority of which is now home to the College of North Idaho. In between snapping photos of this beauty, you can pay a visit to the officer's quarters as well as the powder magazine, where rifles, cannons, and more were stored back in the day.

What a beautiful piece of Idaho history! What other postcard-worthy settings are in Idaho?

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