Golden Jubilee Edition
SECTION E
Today's Schools Vivid Contrast to Ones in 1884
Modern System Result of Work Started in 1882
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Pupils of Present Generation Provided With Every Convenience
Compared With One Room Cabin Grandparents Used.
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Many of Idaho Falls' 3200 school students whose grandfathers
and grandmothers bent studiously over wooden boxes in a one room
cabin in the struggle to learn the three R's, would be amazed at
the contrast of that first school instigated by Mrs. Rebecca
Mitchell and the present elaborate school system with its 81
teachers.
The year 1882 saw the birth of school education in Idaho
Falls. Mrs. Mitchell, a Baptist missionary who immigrated to this
country from Illinois, organized a day school for the children of
the settlement only a few days after her arrival. The same year
citizens of Eagle Rock, then boasting a population of 550 persons,
took steps to materialize their dreams of a school building. A 20
mill levy was voted on February 11, 1882, and was passed with a
vote of 34 to 33. The one room school building was built on the
site now occupied by the Central school building, and was completed
on July 1, of that year. E. R. Bond was named the first teacher and
principal for 32 pupils. Until 1885 the school was controlled by
the county commissioners, and in that year a 10 mill levy was voted
to build an addition to accommodate the classes, which had
increased to 63 pupils.
First School Board
It was in August, 1885, that the first board of directors was
elected, with J. C. Anderson, Sam Taylor, C. B. Wheeler, D. A.
Taylor, M. C. Senter and W. H. B. Crow as members and J. M. Stewart
as the new principal. Sam Taylor was given the contract for the
building of the new school and was given $1116.45 for his work. Mr.
Crow received $413 for the furnishings. The first summer school was
conducted by Miss Ida B. Murphy for six months, and she was paid
$80 for the course.
As the school developed, civic pride began to assert itself,
and it was in 1885 that the first house erected in Eagle Rock,
built by the Anderson brothers in 1865 of driftwood from Snake
river, was torn down and replaced with buildings more in keeping
with the progress of the new town.
Town Grew Rapidly
People moved in from the east and other sections of the
country and the town grew rapidly. This called for a more detailed
organization of the school system. The first school records were
made in 1888, with C. E. Arney the first superintendent of the new
system. From that time on the town grew rapidly and constant
changes in the routine of life were made. In January of 1894,
Bingham county commissioners organized the independent school
district No. 1, as a class A district covering nearly 20,000 acres.
No definite records were left by the board of education until 1901,
when an elaborate set of rules and regulations was written for all
connected with the school.
The need for larger buildings became a problem in 1903, and
members of the board decided to build an annex to the old building
and have all the city school buildings in one place rather than
scattered over the city.
First Unit Built in 1897
The first unit of the present Central school building was
begun in 1897, and served the purpose until 1903, when a final
addition was made with a total cost of $54,000. A second school,
Riverside, was built in 1906 at a cost of $29,000. The two schools
proved inadequate to meet the needs of the fast growing population,
and four years later $40,000 was spent for construction of the
Eastside building.
Eagle Rock school building was erected in 1912, at a cost of
$16,500. These schools are now being used for grade pupils, with a
total of 56 faculty members and more than 2000 pupils.
The high school, one of the city's most beautiful buildings,
was built in 1919. This modern structure cost $80,000, with two
additional wings, a swimming pool and gymnasium adding up an extra
$120,000. The same year another grade school was built, the
Emerson, at a cost of $17,000. All courses found in modern schools
are taught at the high school, where almost 30 instructors have
charge of classes.
New Superintendent
W. W. Christensen will begin his first year as superintendent
of city schools this fall. He comes from Price, Utah, where he was
superintendent of the Carbon county schools. Ray M. Berry, formerly
principal of the high school at Blackfoot, will take that position
at the Idaho Falls school this fall.
Public school buildings in the city have been built at a total
cost of $527,000, with the contents and furnishings amounting to
$75,000. Two new buildings were completed in 1930, a junior high
school built near the Central school, that cost $100,000, and a new
Emerson grade school building that cost $60,000.
Playing an important part in the education of the city's
children is the Holy Rosary CAtholic school on Ninth and Lee. Here
six sisters of the Holy Cross, headquarters at Notre Dame, Ind.,
teach approximately 250 children of the city. The school is in the
same building with the church and was completed in 1920 for regular
class work. Two years ago a kindergarten was opened in connection
with the school, and Miss Frances Cox has been in charge of the
little tots of preschool age.
P. T. A. Has Part
Much credit for improvement and activities in the schools is
due to the several Parent-Teacher associations. Each school has an
organized group, and these groups work constantly for the
betterment of conditions existing in the schools--such as the
furnishing of milk and food for undernourished children and the
annual roundup for preschool children. The roundup, an outstanding
feature of the P., T. A. program, is held every spring and all
children entering school for the first time in the fall term are
given free examinations by physicians and dentists in an effort to
discover and check physical defects.
Mrs. C. R. Black is president of the P. T. A. council, which
is made up of presidents and program chairmen of the various
organizations. Mrs. Reed Starr is president of the Riverside P. T.
A.; Mrs. J. A. Wood, Central; Mrs. A. K. Clevenger, Eastside; Mrs.
C. R. Linger, Eagle Rock; Mrs. Claud R. Black, Emerson. The P. T.
A. in Idaho Falls often backs many worthy causes connected with the
schools.
(Photo Captions)
YOUNGSTERS ATTEND MODERN SCHOOLS IN IDAHO FALLS
Photos 2, 6, 7 and 8 by George M. Scott and Sons
NO. 1. THIS IS A PICTURE of the modern senior high school building
that serves the city. No. 2. Idaho Falls junior high school
building, constructed in 1930 at a cost of approximately $100,000.
No. 3. Eastside school building, one of the larger grade schools of
the city. No. 4. Central building, the oldest structure of the
system. Part of the structure is used for junior high classes. No.
5. Here is old Eagle Rock school building, with the students. It
was built in 1882 and formed the nucleus of the present system. No.
6. Holy Rosary Catholic school, in which six sisters of the order
of the Holy Cross teach. Part of the building also serves as the
church. No. 7. Emerson elementary school building, another of the
newer buildings which was constructed at a cost of $60,000. No. 8.
Emerson primary building, which houses lower grades. No. 9.
Riverside building, another of the larger grade structures. The
Present Eagle Rock building is not shown in this group.
Bonneville County Boasts 46 School Districts in 1934
County Averages Almost One School Per Year Since First Eagle Rock
Building Constructed in 1882.
Averaging almost one school a year since the first Eagle Rock
school was erected is the record boasted by Bonneville county. The
first building was completed in 1882 and today, in 1934, there are
46 school districts in the county.
In 1885, almost 50 years ago, the entire population of Eagle
Rock was 1190 persons, the census showing a county of 227 boys, 210
girls, 234 women and 619 men. Today the actual census of boys and
girls in Bonneville county between the ages of six and 21 years
eligible for school totals 11,235. Of this number 6024 are
enrolled.
The Eagle Rock school, built of rough boards on the location
where the Central school structure now stands, was the nucleus for
the present school system that covers the entire county. In 1911,
when Bonneville county was created by the state legislature and
separated from Bingham county, Mrs. Ella M. Miller was named to act
as superintendent of schools. Miss Stella M. Rogers was elected to
the office in the fall of 1918, and she served until she resigned,
in 1920.
38 Districts in 1920
At the time Jesse H. Nielsen was named county superintendent
of schools in 1920, there were 38 districts outside of Idaho Falls.
Records of the county school system date back only as far as 1914,
and at that time the annual report shows there were 106 teachers,
paid an average of $77 per month for nine months of the year. In
comparison, records today show that 194 teachers were employed in
the county in 1934, with salaries for men instructors in the
elementary schools averaging $981.98 a year; women teachers
averaging $815.57; men teachers in the high school averaging
$1306.16, and women instructors, $1266.03 per year for nine months.
There has been considerable increase in property owned by the
schools throughout the county since 1914. The first records show
the value of all school property to be $416,747. In 1929 the value
had increased to $893,986.45, and in 1934 the value of county
school property, including buildings, land, equipment, libraries
and other accessories, is estimated at $1,056.059. Valuation of
Bonneville county is given as $14,300,000 and the indebtedness of
the school is listed at $508,024.
Five High Schools
Anton Pedersen, present county superintendent of schools,
reports that current expenses of schools for 1933-34 amounted to
$346,927. There are five high schools in Bonneville county, all
accredited schools. The Idaho Falls high school is the largest,
with 557 pupils enrolled; Ucon, with 165 pupils; Iona, with 77;
Ammon, with 163, and Ririe, a joint rural high school created
during the last school year, with 124 pupils.
Majority in Grade Schools
Naturally, the majority of pupils in the county are attending
the grade schools. In the first eight grades there are 673 first
grade pupils in the county, 613 in the second grade, 618 in the
third, 625 in the fourth; 584 in the fifth; 613 in the sixth; 651
in the seventh and 529 pupils in the eighth. The seventh and eighth
grades in Idaho Falls make up the junior high school here, and with
the exception of these students there were 229 eighth grade
graduates and 276 in the seventh grades in the county schools in
1934.
There are 34 common school districts in Bonneville county;
four independent schools; one independent A school; one joint rural
high school; one joint independent school and five joint common
schools, this year's report shows. According to the chart sent out
by the state, there are 13 standard schools in Bonneville county.
Attendance Good Year Around
In spite of the well known fact that lazy spring days bring
about "spring fever," and the urge to play "hookey," school
attendance in the county is good the year round. In the elementary
grades there was an average daily attendance of 4012 pupils, or 95
per cent, last year, and in the high school an average daily
attendance of 1126 students, amounting to 94 per cent of the entire
student body. In the elementary schools, throughout the county
there are 120 class units and in the high school there are 43
units.
According to a recent report from the county superintendent's
office, there were nine defective school children in the county
last year. Such a health record probably accounts for much of the
activity shown in school work. There are eight schools in the
county doing club work--4-H and Future Farmer organizations being
particularly active. In 14 schools of the county vocational courses
are given. There are 16 schools with Parent-Teacher associations.
Four Kindergartens
In recounting the history and present status of county
schools, the four kindergartens with an enrollment of 96 little
tots, cannot be overlooked. They do much toward preparing the small
child for school work in the public schools.
Nearly all schools are on a nine months basis for the coming
year, Mr. Pedersen reports. This is an improvement over records of
the past few years. An increase of 10 to 15 per cent will be added
to all teachers' salaries. Only one school district lapsed during
the past year, the report shows.
(Note: The above article was on page 7 of the section.)
Elaborate Park Plans Being Carried Out Here
Beautification of Idaho Falls One of Major Projects at Present
Idaho Falls, long known as one of Idaho's most attractive
towns, because of its cleanliness and its attractive parks, will be
a beauty spot of the west when the present plans for parks, and the
landscaping of the river front is completed. Construction work on
the various park projects is being pushed as rapidly as possible
before fall frost brings a close to the work.
City park, formerly known as Reno park, is being made into a
recreation center at a cost of $62,000. All the grandstands and
bleachers, as well as the corrals, have been painted white. The
arena will be seeded down as soon as the Golden Jubilee rodeo this
week is over. The track was raised and saucered; in some spots it
was necessary to raise the outer rim five feet. A band stand and
sound system will be placed above the livestock shutes, making it
possible for grandstand spectators to hear all announcments.
To Build Stock Barn
A stock barn will be built at the southwestern corner of the
park. An exhibition building is still in the offing. Foundations
have been laid for the caretaker's home. All the buildings in the
park are to be of log. A large rest room, shower and dressing room
near the lake is almost completed. Eleven drinking fountains will
be constructed about the grounds.
Roads in the park are to be oiled, making it a dustless place.
The lake banks and all slopes in the park wil be terraced and
planted with ornamental shrubs and flowers. A special pasture is
being fenced for the elk and deer.
There are to be three approaches to the park, all of the
drives to be graveled and oiled. When completed, the park will be
one of the most attractive in the west.
Riverside Drive
Another park project of the city is the Riverside drive. The
plans call for the beautification of the water front from the
Broadway bridge to the John's Hole bridge, with a boulevard running
along the river bank. Several buildings have already been removed
from Memorial Drive and much of the ground along the river has been
cleared and filled in preparatory to being terraced and planted.
The rock building across from the court house will be razed soon.
It would be impossible for the best landscape artist to place
the Snake river in a more convenient place for the beautifying of
the city, those in charge believe. Nor could he design it to give
a more varied scenic beauty than it presents in its present form.
We do not have to excavate canyons, build bridges or dams, or
construct artificial falls and rapids, or placid lakes and rock
gardens. The natural setting of the Snake river presents a
magnificent foundation for beautification work. The plan was first
worked out by the late Dr. C. H. Shattuck and is being carried out
by the city, under direction of the chamber of commerce
beautification committee.
Idaho Falls already has two bridges, one of them a magnificent
$62,000 structure. The falls in the river rival any of their size
for beauty. In addition they provide a quiet forebay and placid
lake, so essential in creating lovely water scapes. There are two
islands, one of them already beautified by the city, through
efforts of the Bonneville Sportsmen's association, and the other
above the falls, which the city is now seeking to acquire.
One of the present great city projects is the landscaping of
the golf course. A sprinkling system was recently completed, which
will provide for watering the entire course of 120 acres. Water
mains connect the course both with the city water system and with
the Idaho canal. A pump was installed on the course to bring the
water from its source.The course will be seeded with blue grass as
soon as leveling and terrace work is completed.
Other projects, such as the clearing and planting of ground
along the sidewalks, the planting of the ground on the approaches
on either side of the G street subway and many other small plans
will combine with the main beautification program now being carried
on to make Idaho Falls one of the most ideally beautiful towns in
the west.
The city already has several beauty spots, including Kate
Curley park, the island park south of Broadway bridge, Highland
park, Memorial drive and others.
Masonic and Odd Fellows First Lodges to Be Formed Here
Much of Social Life Centers in City Lodge Groups
First Lodges Organized in Eagle Rock in 1886;
Many of Leading National Groups Now Established Here.
Obedience to the instincts of fraternalism that prompted the
first pioneers to co-operate in establishing a settlement on the
banks of Snake river resulted in the establishment of two lodges in
the early days of Eagle Rock. The Masonic lodge and the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows were both formed in the year 1886, and were
first in the city. Today a majority of the residents of Idaho Falls
are affiliated with one or more of the leading orders located here.
Much of the social life of the city is due to the various
lodges. Besides serving as a medium of social and charitable
activities, the lodges are responsible in great measure toward
making Idaho Falls a convention city and attracting thousands of
out of town people here each year.
A dispensation granted January 11, 1886,. and signed by G. H.
Davis, grand master, and James H. Wickersham, grand secretary,
granted the right to establish a Masonic lodge in Eagle Rock, Idaho
territory.
This lodge, the first in Idaho Falls, had 11 charter
members,and meetings were first held in the old Tautphaus building
on the south side. John G. Anderson was the first worshipful
master.
During its steady career as a lodge here, the A. F. and A. M.
in Idaho Falls has had one grand lodge master George M. Scott. J.
A. Redfield last year was a member of the grand lodge, and this
year the Rev. George H. Peocock is grand chaplain and George
Venebles is grand tyler.
C. O. Lines is the present worshipful master of the Idaho
Falls lodge. For many years lodge sessions were held on the second
floor of a building on Broadway. The new Masonic temple, used
exclusively for lodge activities, was completed in 1931. There are
about 225 members at present.
Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star, Henrietta chapter, is the
auxiliary branch of the Masonic lodge. The Eastern Star chapter was
granted a charter April 12, 1902, and began with seven members.
There are now 235 enrolled. There are two subordinate
organizations, the Ruth Kensington club, of which Mrs. John W.
Henry is president, and the Starlight club with Mrs. C. L. Busby as
president. The Merah Kensington club includes as members the wives
of Shriners.
Mrs. Elizabeth Rigby is worthy matron of the O. E. S. in Idaho
Falls, and Ralph S. Boal is worthy patron. Meetings of the Eastern
Star are held regularly the first and third Thursdays of each
month.
At present extensive preparations are under way for the
meeting of the grand lodge of the A. F. and A. M. to be held in
this city this month.
I. O. O. F. Established
Eight months after the granting of the Masonic charter,
Bingham lodge No. 14, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was
instituted with 33 charter members. The charter, granted October
14, 1886, to the town of Eagle Rock, was signed by Monte R. Gwinn,
grand master, who is still living. J. H. Davenport served as the
first noble grand of Bingham lodge. The first meetings were held in
the old Clark and Fanning building on Broadway and Park avenue, now
occupied by Sewell's store. Construction of an Odd Fellows home
south of town was never completed, and the lodge was moved into the
present building over the Woolworth building in 1907. There are at
present 155 members in the order and meetings are held every
Monday.
Gordon Tobin is now noble grand; T. L. Brunner is vice grand;
Harry Morgan, sr., is secretary; John W. Shipp is financial
secretary and Milroy Marker, treasurer. Mr. Marker is also high
priest in the grand lodge.
Equally active in Bingham lodge work is Lily Rebekah lodge No.
33, women's organization, with 147 members. The charter for the
Rebekah lodge was granted February 4, 1897, in the seventy-eighth
year of the order, and was signed by George C. Thompson, then grand
master, and Lizzie Badley, president of the Rebekah assembly in
Idaho. Of the 31 charter members Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Turner, J.
D. Boyce, D. F. Poulson, H. J. Hasbrouck and Sarah E. Crow are
still living.
Rebekah Lodge
Mrs. Belle Benton is noble grand of Lily Rebekah lodge; Mrs.
Esther Poulson is vice grand; Mrs. Mabel Riggs, secretary; Miss
Blanche Keller, financial secretary, and Mrs. Anna Mae Gray,
treasurer.
The grand masters of the lodge in Idaho have come from Bingham
lodge. Frank H. Turner, now living in San Diego, and John W. Shipp
are past grand masters. Mrs. Sylvia A. Mott is a past president of
the Rebekah assembly of Idaho.
The Modern Woodmen of America became an organized lodge in
October of 1899 with 14 charter members. After organization,
meetings were held in the Clark and Fanning building on the corner
of Park avenue and Broadway. Although the present membership of the
lodge is small, the group is active. T. L Brunner is consul of the
lodge, Ben Moore is banker and C. J. Coughlan is clerk and the
secretary in the state organization. The lodge is an is an
insurance organization and carries on a good work among its own
members. The local group assists in maintaining a home at Woodmen,
Colo. for members suffering from tuberculosis, and in other ways
lends aid to needy members.
Elks Club Organized
One of Idaho Falls' most popular lodges is the Elks club,
members of which occupy the new $115,000 club building on Shoup
avenue. The Elks lodge, No. 1087, of Idaho Falls was installed in
February of 1908. A gala parade through town, in which the charter
members wore Japanese kimonas and carried sunshades, was a part of
the first initiation ceremonies, of which the Pocatello lodge was
in charge. A special train brought the neighboring delegates here
for the ceremonies.
There were 25 charter members; within a year that number had
grown to 120. The membership now numbers 570. In 1909 the present
site of the Elks club building was purchased for a building lot. At
that time meetings were held in the Odd Fellows building. The lodge
later acquired the lot on which the city hall stands. In 1914, the
group bought the Eleanor hotel building, intending to remodel it
for lodge purposes. This was found to be unsatisfactory. When the
Dowd-Bucklin building was constructed the upper floor was designed
for club rooms. The Elks occupied this location until 1928, when
they moved into the new Elks club building.
Charter members of the group, of which many are still members,
include N. D. Porter, first exalted ruler; B. J. Briggs, Charles E.
Wierman, Frank Bybee, Ed. F. Winn, G. G. Wright, E. H. Hollister,
E. P. Coltman, William Luxton, Ralph A. Lewis, W. J. Dineen, F. C.
Bowman, J. M. McGregor, A. J. Wipperman, G. H. Coulthard, T. W.
Lee, F. M. Sheppard, Nels Hoff, A. V. Scott, C. G. Myers, George E.
Neal, T. C. Willets, Percy McLain, C. R. Buchanan.
New Home Built
In 1927 the construction of the present home was begun. In
May, 1928, the quarters were ready, and the lodge was moved to the
new home. Present officers include Monte P. Carlson, exalted ruler;
F. L Hanson, esteemed leading knight; Harrison Dennis, esteemed
loyal knight; Dr. Andrew McCauley, esteemed lecturing knight; W. T.
Pettinger, secretary; T. C. Wasley, treasurer; F. G. Perrin,
esquire; Harry Moore, tiler; O. C. Buck, chaplain; R. P. Harris,
inner guard; Noble Lundblade, organist. The board of trustees
include J. J. Smith, Benjamin P. Melquist and Walter Bauchman.
Woodmen of the World
In January of 1908, the Woodmen of the World was organized in
Idaho Falls. Meetings now have been discontinued. At one time the
present Neighbors of Woodcraft, then known as the Women of
Woodcraft, was affiliated with the Woodmen of the World as an
auxiliary organization. The women's group separated from the
Woodmen during sessions at a convention held in St. Louis in 1913,
when they formed their own organization in order to go on the
assessment plan for the good of the order and its members. The
assessment plan makes it impossible for rates to be raised at any
time. This plan was entered upon in 1917. After the rift between
the two lodges, the Neighbors of Woodcraft was organized with
headquarters in Portland, in nine western states. The grand lodge
was organized in 1896, and the local lodge in 1899. There are over
80,000 members in the nine states, and the lodge stands high in the
fraternal congress for the large membership for the area the
organization covers.
Two of the first officers of the grand lodge are still active
in their offices. J. L. Wright of Portland, the first grand clerk
of the grand circle, and Annie P. Hawkins of Toledo, Ore., first
chairman of the grand managers, are still in office. Mrs. Carrie C.
Van Orsgall, first grand guardian of the lodge, died in 1921. Mrs.
Miinnie Hines of Portland is the present grand guardian.
With 230 members the local Woodcraft lodge is the third
largest in the state. Mrs. Mary Pogge is guardian neighbor at this
time. Miss Minnie A. Neal is clerk and Mrs. Ella Buck is banker.
Rock Lily Thimble club is a local organization in the lodge. Mrs.
Rose Thomas is president of the club, which co-operates in every
way with the main lodge. The woodcraft also sponsors a juvenile
lodge with Mrs. Katherine Martin as senior guardian.
Maintains Home
It is through the efforts of every lodge member that the
Woodcraft organization maintains a home for aged members who need
care. Sixty-five acres at Riverside, Calif., are kept up by members
and supervisors of the lodge. The home itself has 170 rooms. Last
year a hospital with 40 rooms was built and the entire cost of the
two buildings, estimated at $900,000, has been paid in full by the
Woodcraft lodges in the nine states.
At one time there was in Idaho Falls an organization of the
Brotherhood of American Yeomen. This lodge, due to a small
membership, was forced into inactivity. The order was organized
here in August of 1900.
One of the larger organizations in the city is the Fraternal
Order of Eagles, which was instituted with 29 members on November
21, 1903. An interesting history marks the progress of the lodge.
After organization meetings were held in the old Wallenstein
building on the south side. Later lodge quarters were moved to
Broadway on the second floor of the building now occupied by
Scott's book store. After the Odd Fellows hall was built in 1907,
members of the Eagles order met there for a few years until the
Paramount theatre building was constructed about 12 years ago. At
that time the lodge supervised the arrangement of the second floor
for its own rooms.
First Worthy President
Martin Elwood was the first worthy president, and Alton R.
Howell is serving his second time as president now. Insurance and
benefits for members are features of the organization. The lodge is
the instigator of Mother's day, now observed throughout the nation,
and also introduced the old age pension law that is now carried out
in 26 states of the union. The lodge is also responsible for the
workmen's compensation law that is now effective in many states.
Irvin Clift is vice president of the lodge; Ray Crabtree is
secretary and Dr. R.J. Kinney is treasurer.
The women's auxiliary, F. O. E., was organized in 1927, with
71 charter members. Mrs. Marie Steyer was the first president. The
auxiliary is composed of wives and daughters ofEAgles, and the
group co-operates in many acativities with the men's lodge as well
as conducting regular meetings and affairs of its own.
Idaho's first organization of World war veterans was formed in
Idaho Falls in January of 1919, when a group of veterans formed an
organization known as the Great War VEterans association of
Bonneville county, under the supervision of H. G. Knight, at that
time connected with the Idaho Falls Post newspaper. Paul T.
Peterson was elected chairman of the group, with Dr. J. E. Bennett,
vice president; Sam R. Rostad, treasurer, and Mr. Knight,
secretary.
Present Post Follows
It is from this small group that the present Bonneville post
No. 56 of the American Legion evolved.The Legion was organized in
September of 1919 with Mr. Peterson elected commander; Thomas H.
Newman, vice commander; T. C. Wasley, finance officer; W. H. Gang,
chaplain, and A. Boozer, sergeant-at-arms. Meetings were held in
the city hall, then located on the corner of Broadway and Memorial
Drive, until the construction of the new city hall was completed in
1930. The Legion and auxiliary have rooms set aside in the new
building for meetings as well as club rooms for social activities.
In 1929 the American Legion bugle and drum corps was
organized. This corps won first honors at the department convention
held last year, afterward going to Chicago to compete in the
national convention contests and winning recognition among the
highest ranking bugle and drum corps of the nation. Marshall Scott
is drum major of the corps at this time.
Stresses Aid
Throughout its existence the Legion has stressed the
importance of rehabilitation and disabled veterans' relief work.
There are now about 156 members with Guy Poulsen as commander; Fred
Ring, first vice commander; O. L. Womack, second vice commander; M.
P. Goudy, ajutant.
The Legion has been active in many civic enterprises as well
as patriotic affairs. For the past five or six years the
organization has sponsored the largest Fourth of July celebrations
ever staged in Idaho Falls and the Upper Snake River Valley. There
are Legionnaires from here belonging to the 40 and 8, a social
organization connected with the Legion. Although there is no
voiture of the 40 and 8 here, Legion posts at Blackfoot and
Pocatello have both the 40 and 8 and the 8 and 40 divisions. The
late Roland Williams once served as chef de guerre in the 40 and 8.
Dr. G. B. Crabtree and A. R. Rutherford of the local post have
both served as department commanders, Paul T. Peterson served as
department judge advocate and Americanism officer and Mr.
Rutherford also was a department committee chairman.
Legion Auxiliary
Closely allied with the Legion in work and objectives is the
auxiliary unit of Bonneville post. The unit was organized February
26, 1920, and the charter was granted on December 26, 1922. The
first meetings were held in the old city hall, then located on the
corner of Broadway and Memorial Drive. The first officers and
charter members included Mrs. Jennie Brandl, president; Mrs. M. H.
Garvin, vice president; Mrs. H. P. Johnson, secretary, Mrs. Rocky
Wilhelm, treasurer; Sarah E. Neyman, Mary J. Benzel, Mayme Wehn,
Clara T. Underhill, Mrs. Cora N. Shattuck, Mrs. E. L. Huffstutler,
Mrs. Annie B. Evans and Mrs. Flora L. Evans.
Connected with the auxiliary is the Gold Star Mothers chapter,
with eight members, including women who lost sons in the World war.
The auxiliary is prominently associated with the Idaho Anti-
Tuberculosis association and has for several years sponsored the
annual sale of Christmas seals, the funds going for relief work.
The unkit also co-operates readily in city relief work with other
organizations, as well as doing a great deal to aid exservice men
and their families in need. Several of the auxiliary members are
connected with the 8 and 40.
Drum Corps Wins Title
One of the outstanding departments of the unit is the bugle
and drum corps, which in 1932 won the department championship. Mrs.
Louisa Taylor is president of the corps and Mrs. Johanna Thomas is
drum major. A quartet of unit members organized in 1930 won third
place in the national contests held during the national convention
of the American Legion and auxiliary in Portland last year.
Miss Lois Anderson of this city, who entered an essay contest
sponsored by the Fidac committees in a world wide contest, won
national honors and later international recognition with her essay,
which is printed in two languages in the Fidac magazine.
The local unit also has the distinction of having its flag
cited at six national conventions, the only unit in the department
to have more than two. Other distinctions have come to the local
unit through excellent work in the unit district and department.
Mrs. Brandl, first president of the auxiliary, served one year
as depratment presdent and the same year Mrs. Daisy Cantonwine
served as department secretary. Mrs. Edith Hinerman was also a
department president and served as national memberhship chairman at
one time. Mrs. Minnie Batt served two years as district president,
and Miss Louis Keefer has for four years served as district
secretary.
Present Officers
Present officers of the unit are Mrs. Laura Hops, president;
Mrs. Zelma Mackenzie, first vice president; Mrs. Mary Miller,
second vice president; Mrs. Gudrun Hisgin, secretary and treasurer,
and Mrs. Don Ann Thornock, historian.
Through an exchange with other countries, the local unit now
has eight foreign flags in their attractive rooms at the city
building. The flags were secured through the efforts of the Fidac
committee and are highly valued by the unit.
Among the several patriotic organiztions in the city the Idaho
Falls chapter of American War Mothers is an important one. The
chapter was organized in 1920 at a meeting held in the public
library, and in 1925 the group was granted a charter from congress.
The work of the organization is outlined under eight departments,
finance, hospitalization, prison, memory tree planting, magazine
work, Americanization, child welfare work, legislative and Gold
Star. Mrs. Lettie Jensen is president of the group at this time.
Early History Vague
Various periods of inactivity and disintegration leaves the
early history of the Knights of Pythias in this city rather vague.
While considered the third largest organization in the country the
lodge here is small and at times has disbanded entirely. There was
an organization of Pythias as far back as 18 or 20 years ago, but
there are no complete records dating the group over the entire
period. In 1926 the order was reorganized by a minister, the Rev.
F. W. Dick, who came through here from a grand lodge meeting in
Washington, D. C. There were 44 members at that time. Since
resuming activity here meetings have been held in the Eagles hall.
G. W. Erwin was elected chancellor commander after the lodge was
re-established.
Plans are now under way to organize a women's auxiliary known
as the Pythian Sisters, and an organization for boys called the
Princes of Syracuse. L. W. Arave is now chancellor commander; E. L.
Scott is vice chancellor; W. S. Kedzie, prelate; F. W. Blake,
master of work; B. C. Gaines, keeper of records and seals and
master of finance; James Kerr, master of exchequer; Leslie A. Waid,
master at arms; E. C. Crow, inner guard, and N. O. Lundburg, outer
guard.
Royal Neighbors of America
The Royal Neighbors of America, established here in September
of 1908, is an independent women's organization. The first meetings
were held in the Odd Fellows hall until the Eagles hall was opened.
The national organization has been in existence for 38 years with
a reserve fund of more than $30,000,000 and a home for aged members
is kept at Davenport, Ia. There are now 51 members in standing in
the lodge. Mrs. T. L. Brunner is oracle; Mrs. Ben Moore, vice
oracle; Mrs. Lavina Shelly, recorder; Mrs. Margaret Barnes,
receiver.
Joe Hooker post No. 34 of the Grand Army of the Republic was
organized in Idaho Falls in 1909 at a meeting held in the Odd
Fellows hall. Because of the small membership, of which there are
now no charter members living, the chapter was disbanded in 1925.
Judge Isaac Daniels, whose death occurred last year, was the last
of the charter members and the small group of Civil war veterans in
this section.
Women's Relief Corps
The Women's Relief corps No. 20, however, is still active in
patriotic circles. The corps was organized in 1910 with 24 charter
members, and Mrs. Mae Burlington as the first president. Mrs. Marie
Steyer is president at this time, and there are 30 members.
There are eight widows of Civil war veterans living in this
vicinity, six of whom are affiliated with the W. R. C. The list
includes Mrs. Elizabeth Trowbridge, Mrs. Patience Daniels, Mrs.
Elizabeth Wheeler, Mrs. Belle Traughber and Mrs. Jennie Dawson of
Idaho Falls, who are members of the corps, and Mrs. Rosetta Hines
of this city and Mrs. Telitha Scurlock of Ucon, although not
affiliated with the corps, are often invited to meetings and
activities sponsored by the group.
In 1910 a group of 21 men organized an order of the Moose in
Idaho Falls. Although membersip at one time reached 100, according
to records the order has been inactive for some time. Recent
efforts were made by state officers to resume activity of the lodge
here. A home for children is sponsored in Moose Heart, Ill, and a
home for aged members at Jacksonville, Fla.
Knights of Columbus
Denominational in character is the Knights of Columbus order,
with a membership composed of men in the Catholic church. The
organization here was founded about 18 years ago. There are more
than 80 members on the roll of the local council now. Meetings in
the early days of organization were held in the Masonic temple then
located in the B. W. & M. building on Broadway. Since the
completion of the parish hall, known as FAber hall, meetings of
council have been held there.
Mark J. Bertrand is grand knight; Ed C. Fanning is deputy
grand knight; Nicholas DeLange is outside guard; Charles Blasius,
inside guard; James M. Brady, advocate; Joe Mais, Nick George,
Henry Mais, trustees; the Rev. Father F. L. Lobell, chaplain; Hugh
McGahan, recording secretary; C. R. Kroll, financial secretary;
James Sloan, warden; Ed W. Fanning, chancellor, and Charles Lee,
treasurer.
Idaho Falls One of Most Modern Cities of West
$5,000,000 Spent Here Since 1900 To Improve City
Boasts More Miles Pavement, Cheaper Power Than Most Cities of Size
Modern Idaho Falls, situated in the center of an area of over
a million acres of rich, irrigated land, is setting the pace for
the future development of Upper Snake River Valley. No other city
in the state, and few in the country, is in better condition
financially and in other ways than is Idaho Falls at present, Mayor
B. W. Clark declares. The city boasts of more miles of paved road,
more sidewalks, and other improvements, more cheap electricity,
less bonded indebtedness and better living conditions than most
cities of its size in the intermountain area.
Approximately $5,000,000 have been spent in Idaho Falls since
1900 on public improvements, such as water mains, sewage systems,
sidewalks, paving, electric lights and water fixtures, parks and
public buildings. These figures, compiled by Mayor Clark,
necessarily include only the large expenditures, since many of the
small items have no doubt been lost sight of in dealing with larger
figures.
Many of the improvements have been made recently, almost two
million dollars' worth of public improvements having been completed
since 1930. The city hall was built in 1930-31 at a cost of
$200,000. Shortly before this, $253,000 was expended for power
plant No. 2, and an additional $85,000 was expended for auxiliary
power last year. These sums seem vast, but a tour of inspection of
the power, water and light systems will readily show the amount of
expensive equipment necessary for such systems.
Other Recent Expenditures
Other recent expenditures for improvements include $18,000 for
a concrete dam in the forebay of the river for power house No. 1;
$18,000 for a city garage; $110,000 for a storm sewer; $38,000 for
a sanitation sewer; $62,000 for the city park, $32,000 for the
subway and adjoining pavement; $22,000 for the airport; $27,000 for
widening the Broadway next to the Broadway bridge; $[]000 for the
John's Hole bridge, and $62,000 for the Broadway bridge. All of
these improvements have been made since 1930. Part of the money
came from federal public works funds.
In spite of the vast amounts of money spent for the above
named public improvements, the city has a bonded indebtedness of
only $204,500. This sum seems small in comparison with such sums as
$465,000, $875,000, $590,000, $800,000, etc., for other Idaho
cities. A further proof of the city's excellent financial condition
is shown in the fact that the city weathered the depression without
issuing a single registered warrant, the mayor remarked.
21.8 Miles of Paving
Idaho Falls has 21.8 miles of paving. This does not include
that at the street intersections, which would amount to another
mile and a half. In connection with the building of the G street
subway, the highway through town is being widened as far as the
city limits. An effort is being made to have the highway widened to
the county line. Several streets have also been oiled.
There are 27.3 miles of sewer line throughout the town, giving
all of the inhabited territory in the city a sewer system. In
addition, the storm sewer built to handle all emergency cases such
as heavy downpours of rain and snow runoff, is situated several
feet under the new subway.
The city has constructed 46.2 miles of sidewalks. This does
not include any put in by private individuals or business houses.
Water mains measure 35.9 miles. Seven miles of this was put in the
golf course this summer.
One hundred eighty thousand dollars for electric light and
water equipment has been spent since 1930. This includes water and
light extensions. Oef of the most recent additions to water and
light equipment is a $11,000 tank heat control system. This is a
radio control machine which makes it possible to cut off the power
going into electric water heaters during the peak load hours.
Spends $80,000 per Month
The new parks, golf course, and beautification plans now under
consideration will combine to make Idaho Falls a beauty spot when
completed. A total of $80,000 a month is being spent in the city
limits by the federal and city governments for new improvement
projects.
Not all the improvements have been carried out by the city,
however, for as the city has grown, the citizens have built better
homes and provided for more convenient living. They have
constructed schools, churches, libraries, and the most modern
hotels and business houses. Throughout the residential districts of
the city are to be found many beautiful homes constructed during
recent years. Nearly all of the residential districts of the city
have undergone such rapid improvements during recent years that
there are but a few of the early structures left [.]
[ ] System
[ ] city and increased population, citizens have felt the need
of better schools, and as a result, Idaho Falls now has what is
probably the best equipped school system in the state. The high
school building, spread over an entire city block, has been made
beautiful with shrubs, trees and proper landscaping. The Carnegie
library furnishes educational facilities for adults as well as
children of the city.
Large and modern apartment houses have been constructed in the
residential districts of the city, with the demand ever increasing.
Idaho Falls is well equipped with churches, practically all
denominations being represented here. Hundreds of thousands of
dollars have been spent for church construction here.
Modern Idaho Falls has probably the largest business district
of any town its size in the west. Most of the business is retail,
while the wholesale district is equipped to take care of valley
business. Spud Alley handles thousands of sacks of the famous Idaho
"baker" each year.
With all this assembly of public improvements, modern
buildings, and equipment, and with but little bonded indebtedness,
Idaho Falls is a city that is in line for continued growth and
prosperity.
[photo caption:]
CITY'S NO. 1 DEEP WELL AND GARAGE BUILDING
THE BUILDING housing the pumping equipment for one of the two deep
wells that supply Idaho Falls with excellent water for domestic use
is shown above. A third deep well is being drilled at present. The
building shown above is also used to house the city garage. (Photo
by George M. Scott and Sons.)
SHELLEY HOME OF IDAHO SPUD
Potato Shipment in 1933 Was 1966 Carloads;
Founded in 1893.
Shelley, whose total potato shipments of 1966 carloads for
last year made it the largest potato shipping point on the O. S.
L., is rightfully the home of the Idaho spud. Each October a fete
is held there for Idaho's most famous product, the potato, known as
Idaho Spud day. This harvest [ ] has become a Shelley [ ] .
The sugar industry ranks a close second in the vicinity, as
can be readily observed in the fact that 300 carloads of sugar were
manufactured at the Shelley sugar factory last year. Three grain
elevators are also located at Shelley.
Shelley was founded in 1893 by John F. Shelley, who now makes
his home in California. Although much of the land in that section
had been homesteaded by that date, there was no village until after
the postoffice was established by Mr. Shelley in 1893. In the
following year, Mr. Shelley opened a general store and a feed
stable. During that year too, the railroad company made the point
a flagstop. In 1895 Soren Yorgesen built the first hotel. Mr.
Yorgesen at present runs the Idaho Elevator and Mill company at
Shelley.
Formed Company
Together with some of the town's first settlers, Mr. Shelley
formed the Shelley Mercantile Company, which established a general
store in connection with which were sold lumber and farm
implements. The first mill was built by this group. A power plant,
which the Shelley Mercantile company established, was bought out by
the Utah Power and Light company when it began to build lines
through the valley. The city water is supplied from municipally
owned wells.
Pottery Plant Operated
An interesting plant operated for 15 years at Shelley,
beginning in 1897, was a pottery, run by a Mr. Roberts. Earthen
ware of all kinds was molded and baked at that plant, which was
located on the south side, at Shelley. Clay was taken from a slew
there and molded into flower pots, bowls and vases. Mr. Roberts
maintained a staff of house to house canvassers who traveled up and
down the valley selling his wares. In 1912 the plant burned down
and Mr. Roberts moved away.
In 1901 a group of Shelley business men built a ferry across
the Snake river, which was used extensively until high water in
1907 washed it away.
Irrigation was under way before the village of Shelley was
established. The Cedar Point canal was completed in 1890. Some
eight years later the Snake River Valley canal system was built.
The schools system, now under the direction of Karl G. Maeser,
dates back to a one-room log school which was opened in 1896. The
present system includes buildings and equipment to the value of
$150,832.58, maintains a faculty of 23, and is given a high rating
by the Northwest Crediting association. The high school has an
enrollment of 300. Music, art, and manual training are featured in
the grades as well as in the high school.
Shelley has two churches, the Community, which is co-
operatively owned by several protestant groups, and the L. D. S.
The L. D. S. ward was established in 1896 with John F. Shelley as
bishop. Since that time, it has been divided into two wards. In
1929 a stake tabernacle was built, at a cost of $135,000.
The town is governed by the mayor and council system. Dr. H.
J. Dyer is the present mayor. In addition to the chamber of
commerce, the community maintains several study and social groups.
The population is listed at 1400. The Idaho Pioneer, a community
newspaper, is published weekly. Several stores, a theatre, a meat
market and three cafes make up the business section.
Among the early settlers may be listed the families of Soren
Yorgesen, R. H. Bradshaw, A. A. Christensen, William H. Crandall,
O. P. Jensen, Curtis Galloway, H. T. Child, F. C. Johnson, and John
Shelley.
RIRIE IS GRAIN SHIPPING POINT
Shipments Top Those From Most Communities Twice Its Size.
A total of 526,446 bushels of grain were shipped from the four
[ ] the year of 1930. This total forms the average annual shipments
from that section. Since 1914, when Ririe first was established as
a grain center, its shipments have topped those form most
communities twice its size. During the year 1918, according to
Ririe residents, the total grain shipments were exceeded by only
one other shipping point in the state.
Ririe, which is only 20 years old, boasts a high school, a
population of 422 in 1930, several stores and gas stations in
addition to the four grain elevators, one of which includes a flour
mill.
Work has recently begun on a new $8000 community recreation
hall, an FERA projects. R. T. Magleby acts as superintendent of the
school sytem which includes 13 teachers. The high school, which was
begun only last year as a joint district, registered 125 students.
It is a state accredited high school, and maintains a band and
orchestra in addition to the basic courses.
The town received its name from David A. Ririe, whose
homestead part of the site was platted on. The present village
board consists of Herman Rosengren, Milo Rowan and Duke Potter.
Apartments Play Important Part in Housing Situation Here
Modern Mode of Living Developes In Recent Years
Idea of Grouping Families Under One Roof
Developed Since Days of Eagle Rock;
McGee Place Probably First Apartment
Modernly equipped and furnished apartment houses have, since
about 1900, played an important part in the housing situation in
Idaho Falls.
It was not until years after Eagle Rock was founded that the
necessity for apartment houses arose. Pioneer families moving here
built their own log cabins, gradually changing them into more
comfortable quarters as time went on and they found more time and
means to improve. However, the city grew rapidly, and there were
many people who didn't own their own homes.
Fairly New Idea
The history of the apartment house in Idaho Falls does not
date back many years, as the idea of grouping families under one
roof is a comparatively recent innovation. Probably the first house
built for that purpose was the McGee place, a cement building
erected near the railroad tracks a few blocks south of the subway.
It was built about 30 years ago. The original building was added to
and improved and was later known as the Shuttleworth apartments,
located on Cedar street. It is now known as the Colonial
apartments.
Another apartment house boasting an early beginning is the
Milner, on the corner of Park avenue and D street. This building
was constructed by the Utah Northern railroad in 1880 and was used
as the roundhouse for some time. It was used successively as an
opera house and a dance hall before it finally evolved into an
apartment house in 1918 by the Idaho Falls Development company.
There are six double and 10 single apartments, with Mr. and Mrs. J.
L. Milner as owners and operators.
Made Into Apartment
After the new L. D. S. hospital on Memorial drive had been
completed, the old General hospital on Idaho avenue was transformed
into an apartment house by Dr. C. M. Cline. Several years ago the
place was purchased by Alma Lindholm, present owner, and is being
operated with eight apartments. The Sandstrom apartments were built
in 1910 on East Eleventh Street at an estimated cost of $17,000.
There are five large apartments. The Norton apartment building was
costructed at a cost of $17,000 by Mr. and Mrs. John Norton on the
corner of G and Sage streets in 1920, with modern conveniences for
nine apartments.
Among the larger apartment houses in the city are the George,
the Shane, the Ellis and the Avalon. Mr. and Mrs. Joe George had
the main building of the George apartments erected in 1919. It is
located between Poplar street and Ridge avenue and is one of the
attractive and modern homes in the city. The demand for apartments
resuilted in the George annex being built in 1927. Total cost of
the two buildings, which house 17 apartments, amounts to about
$70,000.
Ellis Apartments
The Elis apartments were constructed on D street by J. D.
Ellis in 1917 at a cost of $43,000. There are 10 apartments in the
modern brick structure. Several thousand dollars have been spent
since in improvements and the building of garages and other
necessities.
One of the newest apartment houses, the Shane, owned and
operated by Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Shane, is built on Memorial drive
and affords an excellent view of Snake river and the western sky
line. It was built in the winter of 1926 and 1927 at a cost of
$100,000. The building was opened with a public reception in June
of 1927. The building and appointments are of the most modern type.
Avalon Newest
The newest link in the chain of apartments is the Avalon,
located on Boulevard and Maple street, which was completed in
December of 1930. There are 20 single and six double apartments
with modern fixtures. It was built by L. C. Larch.
In addition to the apartment houses named there are numerous
smaller ones accommodating three families and a number of duplex
houses. All are equipped with full basements, laundry
accommodations, electrical devices, modern heating facilities and
frigidaire systems--a far cry from the small, lamplit cabins that
dotted these same banks along Snake river 50 years ago.
Photo Captions:
APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN IDAHO FALLS
EVERY MODERN convenience is provided in apartments in Idaho Falls
today, this idea of many families living under one roof is gaining
in popularity in recent years. Photos here are: No. 1. The Shane
apartment house on Memorial Drive. No. 2. The Ellis apartments on
D street between Capital and Park avenues. No. 3. The Avalon
apartments at Boulevard and Maple, the newest of the group in the
city. No. 4. The George apartment house at the corner of Ridge and
Poplar.
Additional Story:
(Special to the Post-Register)
Study Club at Rigby Holds Meeting
Two Class A Hospitals Are Located Here
Modern Insititutions and Well Trained
Nurses and Physicians and Surgeons
Make Idaho Falls Hospitalization Center
To Idaho Falls, with two splendidly equipped and modernly
built hospitals, their corps of well trained nurses and internes
headed by excellent physicians and surgeons, go the laurels as
hospitalization center of the Upper Snake River Valley. The two
hospitals offer every aid in modern medical science.
The early history of hospitals in Idaho Falls begins in 1907,
when Dr. C. M. Cline, prominently associated with its movement
since the beginning, organized the first hospital in partnership
with Dr. George Coulthard. This hospital was established on the
second floor of the small brick building on the corner of Park
avenue and C street, now occupied by the Spud pool hall. This was
used for patients throughout the valley until the Village
Improvement society sponsored the moving of the hospital to the
second floor of the Elk building on Eagle Rock street. In 1914
Doctor Cline and Dr. A. R. Soderquist built the General hospital,
now occupied by the Riverside apartments, on the corner of Idaho
and K street, the first building erected for hospital service in
the city. With a 25 bed capacity and a staff of 14 nurses to care
for patients, this building was used until October 23, 1923, at the
completion of the L. D. S. hospital.
Dr. J. O. Mellor and Dr. David McDonald also conducted one of
the early hospitals prior to the erection of the L. D. S. building.
The building now occupied by the McHan Funeral Home on E street was
operated by the two physicians as a hospital with a bed capacity
for 15 patients. Three registered nurses were employed in the
building, in which a modernly equipped operating room was quartered
in addition to other equipment. This hospital also was closed with
the completion of the L. D. S. hospital in 1923.
Doctor Spencer Here in 1916
Dr. H. D. Spencer, who now operates one of the two hospitals
in the city, purchased his first hospital from Dr. S. S. Fuller in
1916. The building was located on the corner of Placer avenue and
Walnut street and had been operated by Doctor Fuller for four or
five years before Doctor Spencer took it over. Miss Essie Maronda
was made superintendent of the hospital and four graduate nurses
composed the staff at that time. The present building of the
Spencer hospital on Boulevard and Cedar street, was begun in 1919
and completed for occupancy one year later. Doctor Spencer and Miss
Maronda are joint owners of the privately operated hospital.
There are 15 nurses, 12 of whom are in training school, on the
staff. In addition to laboratory [ ] and excellent X-ray equipment,
a bovie cutting unit has been added. The building is estimated at
$70,000. The hospital is a member of the Western Hospital
association and Doctor Spencer is a member of the American College
of Surgeons.
Begun by H. C. Austin
Building of an L. D. S. hospitall in the Upper Snake River
Valley had been under consideration for some time when Idaho Falls
was selected as the location as the outgrowth of a movement begun
in 1918 by Heber C. Austin of this city. His suggestion met with
the approval of a group of his colleagues in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints and church authorities promised
financial support for the hospital.
A hospital district comprising the Blackfoot, Lost River,
Shelley, Bingham, now Idaho Falls, Rigby, Fremont, Yellowstone and
Teton L. D. S. stakes was named and the general church offered to
match on the basis of two to one every dollar raised by the several
stakes of the hospital district. The first gift from the general
church fund amounted to $200,000.
The corner store was laid in July of 1919, but because of
economic condition throughout the country, building operations were
suspended and dedication was delayed until October 23, 1923. It was
the third hospital controlled by the L. D. S. church and was
completed at a cost of $475,000. Dedicatory services were held in
the Idaho Falls L.D.S. tabernacle with Heber J. Grant, president of
the church, and Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the council of the
twelve, taking part.
Church Furnished Most of Money
Three-fourths of the sum invested in the hospital was paid by
the general church at Sslt Lake City and the balance by residents
of the hospital district. The first board of trustees of the
hospital included Heber C. Austin, James Duckworth, John W. Hart,
Mark Austin, H. Ray Hatch, O. A. Johannesen, W. W. Rawson and
Victor Austin as secretary and treasurer. Jacob H. Trayner, who had
acted as superintendent at the Grande Ronde hospital for nine
years, was appointed superintendent and is still serving in that
capacity.
With the opening of the hospital a school of nursing was
established and there were 10 student nurses enrolled with 20
persons making up the personnel of the hospital. In order to equip
the first class of students for the opening of the hospital the
nurses received preliminary training at the Dee hospital in Ogden
under the direction of Miss Rhea Kerr, who was appointed the first
directress of nurses here. The school is perhaps the largest of its
kind in the state.
1540 Patients First Year
When the hospital was first opened the first and fourth floors
were furnished for patients, the third floor was occupied by nurses
and the second was kept in reserve. At the end of the first year
records showed that 1540 patients had been admitted to the hospital
and late in 1924 the call for medical cases necessitated the
furnishing of part of the second floor. This made a total bed
capacity for 53 patients. For the first year a total expenditure of
$20,938.30 was made and records showed an average of 32 patients
daily. In 1925 the bed capacity was increased to 75.
The Catholic Woman's league contributed to this increase by
furnishing one room. At the opening of the hospital many of the
rooms had been furnished by church and fraternal organizations as
well as by private individuals. In 1926 the bed capacity was
increased to 100, where it has since remained. At this time Mr. and
Mrs. Andrew Burkman donated furnishings for one of the rooms.
Directresses of Nurses
Miss Kerr served as directress of nurses until January of
1925, and she was succeeded by Miss Vestha Facer, who served in
that capacity until July of 1927. Following in succession were Miss
Metta Jones, from July, 1927, to August of 1929; Miss Ruth Crotty,
from August, 1929, to August, 1932; Miss Uarda Knight, from August,
1932, to March, 1933, and Miss Elizabeth Hill, who is directress at
this time.
At the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the opening of
the hospital the management reported that $66,453 had been expended
for equipment and improvement of the building and grounds. Expenses
for maintenance, including salaries and other items, has amounted
to $794,579, making a total cost expenditures of $861,032. More
than 22,400 patients have been admitted to the hospital since its
opening.
Special Departments
In addition to the school of nursing the hospital maintains
special departments in dietetics, physical therapy, which includes
treatments by electricity and hydrotherapy; complete X-ray
equipment, and a clinical laboratory with a full time technician in
charge. The institution meets the requirements of the American
College of Surgeons and is approved by them for standardization. A
representative in sent by the college periodically to inspect the
hospital to see that the high standard set for hospitals is
maintained in view with the purpose to improve hospital conditions
for the benefit ofECTION E
Today's Schools Vivid C
practice of medicine and surgery in the profession.
With three exceptions the hopistal has sent a representative
to every national convention of the American Hospital association.
The institution also holds a membership in the American Protestant
Hospital association, the Western Hospital association and the
Northwestern Hospital association.
The present board of trustees includes Sylvester Q. Cannon of
Salt Lake City, presiding bishop of the church, Heber C. Austin,
James Duckworth, John W. Hart, Joseph A. Brunt, Leonard G. Ball,
Arthur Porter, jr., and Victor Austin as secretary and treasurer.
Physicians and surgeons in the city belong to the Idaho Falls
Medical society, connected with the Idaho Medical association, and
are active in holding meetings, attending conventions and otherwise
keeping abreast with the advanced medical progress of modern times.
Photo Captions
IDAHO FALLS' HOSPITALS
HERE ARE PICTURES of the two hospitals in Idaho Falls which serve
the entire Upper Snake River Valley. No. 1 is the L. D. S.
hospital, completed in 1923. No. 2 is the Spencer hospital,
completed in 1920.
(Also included:
COMMITTEES FOR SPUD DAY NAMED
Bert Miller, Manager, and Chamber Directors Select Workers
(Special to The Post-Register.)
SHELLEY, Sep. 10.--Bert Miller, manager, and the board of
directors of the chamber of commerce have slected the names of ones
to act on the various committees for Idaho Annual Spud day here
October 3. Each committee is to have complete charge of their
respective duties.
Hotels Play Colorful Part in City's History
Modern Hotels Make Idaho Falls Convention City
Beginning With Two "Eating Houses"
In Eagle Rock, City Now Boasts Six
Modern Hotel Structures.
Through 50 years of growth from the little frontier settlement
of Eagle Rock to the third largest city in Idaho, the hostelry
business has played a colorful part in Idaho Falls' history.
Beginning with the two or three "eating and rooming" houses that
were found on the one dusty street that paralleled the tracks of
the Utah Northern railroad in what was then Eagle Rock, Idaho Falls
now boasts five modern hotels. With establishment of these hotels
here, Idaho Falls soon became known as the convention city of
southeastern Idaho. Along with the hotels, the city also affords
further first class accommodations at its numerous up to date
tourist cabins.
Hundreds of delegates to conventions, both state and district,
have visited Idaho Falls this summer. They all returned to their
homes in other parts of the state, also neighboring commonwealths,
with a warm spot in their hearts for Idaho Falls because of the
hospitality shown. Approximately 1500 delegates to state
conventions have assembled here at various times this summer for
convention sessions. The first convention this summer was that of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars early in May, attracting about 100
visitors. Then on June 3, 4 and 5 the state Business and
Professional Women's clubs held their annual convention here with
200 pwomen attending. June 11 and 12 saw 250 Lions from Utah and
Idaho here, and later that month, June 26 and 27, the Idaho Peace
Officers' association convened here with 160 attending.
Approximately 300 Kiwanis club members from the Utah-Idaho district
gathered here for three days, August 8, 9 and 10, for their annual
convention. The Masonic Grand lodge of Idaho [is] convening here
this week. Besides these conventions, the city is the focal point
each year of numerous district interscholastic events which draw
high school students here from over southern Idaho.
Slept in Open
Talking to "old timers," who at one time poached cattle in the
sage brush lands throughout this upper valley, one learns that back
in 1884 the idea of stopping at a hotel or rooming house only
entered the heads of those hardy men when they went to "town," and
that meant Salt Lake, Pocatello or a community of large size. A
blanket spread on the ground under the stars, using their saddle
for a pillow, served the purpose in those days.
The Brooks house, an adobe stucture built by George Heath, was
probably the first building constructed here that could be called
a hotel. This was in the town of Eagle Rock, now Idaho Falls. This
hotel served the needs of the settlement during the late '80s and
for a few years afterward. Lodging at that time could also be
obtained above Dick Chamberlain's saloon and at a few other places
in town.
Scott Hotel Built
Coming here about 1889, A. V. Scott, prominent in Idaho Falls
until his death in the fall of 1930, came to Eagle Rock and a short
time later built the Scott hotel on a small hill on what is now
Lava street. Mrs. Scott is still a resident of Idaho Falls. She
joined her husband here about a year after Mr. Scott arrived. The
hotel was opened for business in January, and the next August it
was completely destroyed by fire.
A hotel building, which saw the growth of Idaho Falls almost
from its beginning, today houses one of the city's modern
hostelries. This is the New Porter hotel. About the time Mr. Scott
began business in his hotel, Poe Graehl arrived in Eagle Rock and
constructed the Graehl hotel. The structure has since been
remodeled many times, keeping step with the growth of the city.
When Poe Graehl built his hotel it was a one story stone building
with a store in connection. After his hotel burned, Mr. and Mrs.
Scott took over management of the Graehl for a short time, paying
rent to a Mr. Smith, who was manager of the Z. C. M. I. store here
at the time. Charles Dawson and his family managed the hotel after
the Scotts left the hotel and the Mr. Smith himself took charge.
Along about 1894 B. A. Jenne took over the management of the Brooks
house. He later went to the Berry house, another early hotel, which
was located next to the Graehl where the Home Bakery is now.
Porter Bought Hotel
About the time that the railroad line was completed into Eagle
Rock, N. D. Porter took over the Graehl and changed the name to the
Porter. Mr. Porter owned the hotel from that date until early in
1930. He is still a resident of the city. In 1930 the hotel was
taken over by Joseph Lippman of Santa Monica, Calif., after
foreclosure. Mr. Lippman converted the two upper stores into 24
apartments. In August, 1930, E. W. Finlayson came here and bought
the Porter hotel. He spent approximately $12,000 remodeling the
building and turning the structure into a modern hotel, opening it
as the New Porter hotel that fall.
Next in line among the hotels came the Cutter, followed
shortly afterward by the Eleanore. The Eleanore was started early
in the 20th century by William Sweeney. He was killed in a fall
from a scaffold as the building was under construction. Shortly
after that it was completed and opened for business. The Idaho
hotel was built next, being constructed in 1917.
Hotel Bonneville
The largest and newest hotel of the city is the Hotel
Bonneville, built as a community hotel in 1927. In this year 481
citizens of the city met together and formed a community hotel
corporation and subscribed funds for the construction of this most
modern hostelry. The hotel, including the grounds and building,
cost $315,000. In 1927 the hotel was opened for business and since
that time has served as headquarters for almost every convention
held here.
Because of the location of Idaho Falls, it is one of the
outstanding hotel cities of the state. People from over the Upper
Snake River Valley, coming here to trade, often remain for a day or
two. Hotels and tourist camps here get a good run of business each
summer because the city is but one day's travel either going to or
coming from the west or the Jackson Hotel entrances of Yellowstone
National park.
Over 600 persons may be accommodated in the hotels of the
city, it is estimated. Besides the leading hotels, lodging
accommodations may also be obtained at numerous rooming houses and
apartments, along with tourist cabins. Some hotels, however, rent
out a number of apartments while others handle mostly commercial
trade. Thousands of dollars have been spent here in recent years in
building modern tourist camps. During most of the summer months it
is still hard to find cabin accommodations late in the afternoon or
evening because others have already taken the quarters
Photo captions:
HOTELS MAKE IDAHO FALLS CONVENTION CITY
NO. 1. HOTEL BONNEVILLE, community structure built by 481 citizens
of Idaho Falls. No. 2. The old Brooks house, an adobe structure
built by George Heath and once known as the Burgess house. No. 3.
The New Porter hotel as it loked before it was recently remodeled.
No. 4. The Idaho hotel. No. 5 The Eleanore hotel. No. 6. The
Cutter hotel.
(photos 3 and 6 by Geo. M. Scott & Sons.)+
Other local stories:
Shelley Variety Club Meeting Held
(Special to the Post-Register.)
SHELLEY, Sept. 10.--Mrs. Les Johnson was hostess to the members of
the Variety club at her home on Thursday evening at 8 o'clock.
three tables of pinochle were in play...
IDAHO FALLS IS AMUSEMENT CENTER
CITY BOASTS FOUR THEATRES
Moderly Equipped Show Houses Have Combined Seating Capacity 3500.
Four modernly equipped theatres, having a combined seating
capacity of 3500, make Idaho Falls the amusement center of the
upper valley. Since the first wandering medicine shows played to
capacity houses in old Eagle Rock in 1883 and 1884, valley
residents have flocked to this town for their entertainment.
Theatre managers have endeavored to present the best that was
offered in stage and screen productions in an effort to maintain
their reputation for good theatrical productions.
Broadway is brought to faraway Idaho by the management of
Idaho Falls' modern theatres. The same theatrical productions which
are shown in metropolitan centers are brought here before any other
city in Idaho has the opportunity to see them. Equipped to produce
any stage attraction, the Paramount theatre boasts of the largest
legitimate stage in Idaho. The colorful features exhibited here
present a sharp contrast to the first medicine shows that wandered
into town, more than 50 years ago.
idaho Falls theatres date back to the eighties, when
occasional road shows stopped overnight enroute to Montana from
Salt Lake. The building that is now the Milner apartments was
always filled to the doors when such a show scheduled a performance
there. Later better quality productions were booked, and
occasionally musical troupes performed here.
The first motion pictures were shown in a hall on Park avenue
(now the New Manhattan cafe). This was in 1907.
Admission was five cents, and the spectator stood up to see
the two reels of flickering, grayish films. A year later the Scenic
theatre, located in the building formerly occupied by the Wade
Brothers store on Park avenue, was opened under the management of
R. A. Wagoner and Leo Hay. In 1909 C. J. Slifer bought out Hay's
interest in the business, and the two started a new Scenic on
Broadway. A few months before Will Rhoring had started the Star
theatre in the present location of Woolworth's. Wagoner and Silfver
bought out Rhoring's interest and ran both theatres for several
months. During the same year Joe George started his Dime theatre
which boasted of 300 seats.
In those days there were no titles or sub-titles to the
pictures, and it was necessary to have a lecturer explain the films
as they were shown. J. Ed Smith acted in this capacity at the
scenic. There were no lobby displays, and no advertising. Buildings
were poorly lighted and were not ventilated. Only one projection
machine was used, and theatregoers were required to wait while the
operator changed reels. When one reel was completed, a slide
reading "One moment, please, the operator is changing reels" begged
the indulgence of the spectators.
In 1913, William Wilson opened the Rex, and Joe George opened
the American on A street. The American is now known as the Gayety.
Al Hager bought the Dime from Joe George and later acquired the
Rex, which he still runs. The old Scenic closed in 1915, after
seven years of operation.
In 1919 the Colonial theatre was erected. The stage facilities
of the old Colonial attracted road shows and vaudeville. People
came to Idaho Falls from a wide area, including theatre lovers
throughout the valley from the Montana line to Pocatello, and from
Mackay to the Wyoming border. C. H. Lewis was the first manager of
the Colonial. In 1923 Otto Schmidt and Dr. C. M. Cline operated it
as co-partners.
Fox, Publix Come In
Joe George later sold his American to De Mordant and Drinnin,
and moved to his new Broadway theatre. De Mordant and Drinnin, who
also operate theatres at Blackfoot and Rexburg, are the present
owners of the American, now the Gayety theatre. The Fox West Coast
theatres leased the new Broadway in 1924, and renamed it the Fox.
In that same year the Publix people bought the Colonial and changed
the name to Paramount. T. R. Earl was brought from Asheville, N.
C., to become the manager of the Paramount. Richard O'Brien
became manager of the Fox. In 1932 the West Coast theatres
acquired the Paramount and Mr. Larson became manager. Since that
time the roomy stage has been the one stopover many troops have
made between Salt Lake and the coast. The Paramount employs a staff
of 20 regular employes.
Joe George again became manager of the Fox, when the Fox
company took bankruptcy in March and defaulted on the lease. The
stage was completely remodeled, providing facilities for
vaudeville. The building was re-equipped throughout. On January 19,
1934, Mr. George re-0opened the Fox, under the name of Rio.
Photo Captions:
BATHING BEAUTIES--AS OF OLD
---
FRANK BEAM HERE 56 YEARS
Arrived Via Lander Pass In 1878;
Now Lives at Swan Valley
A tall blue-eyed lad of twenty, mounted on a gaunt pinto, rode
into the camp of the Oneida Salt Works one summer afternoon in
1878. He was dusty, and drooped in the saddle. D. R. White, manager
of the salt works, which was situated on Stump creek, near Gray's
Lake, Idaho, greeted the boy, and asked him where he came from.
"I just came over Lander's pass, from South Pass, Wyoming,"
was the reply. "I haven't had anything to eat for five days,"
replied Frank Beam, now a resident of Swan Valley.
"Lander's pass?" asked the surprised White. "Why, there hasn't
been a white man over that trail for 12 years. See any Indians?"
The year 1878 was noted for Bannock uprisings.
"No, I haven't seen a soul for five days. A fellow sent me
this way instead of over Sublette's route. I didn't take any grub,
because I thought I'd reach a settlement in a day or so."
Taken to Camp and Fed
The lad was taken in the camp, fed, and started on his way
again. He hailed from Iowa. Born in Somerset, Mo., on May 11, 1858,
and reared in Iowa, Frank Beam answered the call of the west in
1878, coming in a mule-drawn wagon as far as Fort Washington, Wyo.,
from where he drove a freight wagon to South Pass. Taking the
advice of an ill-advised fellow traveler, Beam and his pinto pony
followed the dim Lander's trail over the Great Divide to Stump
creek. Along the way he saw dead campfires, bones, and other
evidences of recent Indian encampments. He was in the heart of the
Bannock country, a tribe inflamed against the whites. No doubt many
skulking reds saw the lone rider as he urged his pinto over the
hills. Why they allowed him to go unmolested on his way is another
of those occasional inexplicable kind of acts of the red men.
Worked for Anderson's
Arriving at Taylor's bridge, Mr. Beam became "right hand chore
boy" for the Andersons. The embryo village then boasted of four
buildings--Anderson's store, Anderson's home, both adobe
structures, the frame [ ] barn, and the blacksmith shop, a shack.
In 1879, Mr. Beam worked on the newly established railroad. In
1879, too, he homesteaded a section of land near Lewisville, which
is still known as "Beam's Flat." In 1882 he homesteaded the land
now belonging to M. M. Hitt in St. Leon, then known as Jarnigan.
Together with Caspar Sauers and V. R. Jarnigan, he built a school
house of cottonwood logs, the third rural school in the county.
Mr. Beam worked on the inadequately conceived Anderson canal,
which later became known as the Progressive Canal system. The
Anderson brothers, in spite of their faith in little Eagle Rock,
thought so little of the possibilities of the sagebrushed outlying
territory that they built their first canal but six feet wide, and
deep enough to carry only three feet of water.
Help Plan Canal Systems
Later Mr. Beam helped to plan the Eagle Rock and Willow Creek
canal system, built by farmers, and without any bonded
indebtedness.
Since 1901 Mr. Beam has made his home in Swan Valley. Today he
is reserved, but quietly friendly, and possessed of a scholarly
vocabulary when he tells of the great days he has seen. Voicing a
quiet regret at the changing conditions which have so nearly
destroyed the old-time community spirit, Mr. Beam remembers the
years of homesteading, of community socials and canal building as
the happiest of his life. At 76 he is as straight of build as a man
of 30, and has in his blue eyes the same level challenge he must
have had when he faced his five day fast on Lander's pass, 56 years
ago.
`HANK' KIEFER HERE SINCE 1869
Worked on Old Utah and Northern Railroad;
Lives At Blackfoot.
Connected with the early history of the railroad in the west
and owner of one of the most productive farms and orchards in this
section, Henry W. Kiefer, better known here as "Hank" Kiefer, is
one of the earliest residents of the upper valley.
Mr. Kiefer, now retired from the active life he led in earlier
years, is living in Blackfoot with a daughter, Mrs. Roy DeKay. His
life is interesting in the colorful light of a pioneer, filled to
capacity with events and happenings so that a correlation of
details is almosts impossible.
Born of GErman parentage in Pittsburgh, Pa., March 18, 1851,
he left his native state early in life and after the death of his
parents went west to Colorado, arriving in that territory in June
of 1869, when 18 years of age. He lived there for one year, when
his roving instinct took him to the wyoming territory.
The foundation for much of his future life was begun here,
when he went into the employ of the Coe and Carter firm of Omaha,
Nebr., which furnished practically all railroad ties for the Union
Pacific railroad company. He continued in this work in Wyoming,
Utah and afterward in Idaho.
In Idaho 56 Years
He has been a resident of Idaho for about 56 years, first
moving to the Idaho territory in December of 1878 and locating a
camp for the Omaha firm in Black's canyon on the south fork of
Snake river. He got out 50,000 ties for construction of the Utah
Northern railroad, the first line sending steel rails into the
valley, and through to Montana. In May of 1879 he moved camp to
beaver canyon and delivered to the same company 100,000 ties. His
next move, assisting in the laying of a network of railroads over
the country, took him to Wyoming in July of 1881, when he
established a camp near the mouth of Salt river and employed 75 tie
choppers, working on Gray's river and on the south fork of Snake
river.
As the forests resounded to the echo of axes wielded in the
name of civiliazation, the undeveloped wild country assumed the
appearance of a small settlement as cabins housing the men went up,
35 on each side of the river above the mouth of the Grand Canyon.
Ties made in camp were for the construction of the Oregon Short
Line railroad in March of 1883.
At this time the adventuresome young man, having been married
for three years, decided to acquire a home of his onw, and he
purchased what was then known as the Tom Hash ranch on Willow
creek, about 10 miles north of Eagle Rock. Showing the same
aptitude for new things that sent him into the western wilderness
at the age of 18, the young farmer planted a fruit orchard in 1885,
the first in this section, and the trees began bearing in such
large quantities by 1890 that local demands for fresh fruit were
supplied.
Farm Was Model
The farm and orchard soon brought fame to the valley and
eastern people as well as all local residents, visited the place.
Real estate men engaged in the vastly important work of colonizing
the Upper Snake River Valley, brought their prospective settlers to
the Kiefer farm as an example of the possibilities and
productiveness of the valley soil.
"At one time, in 1890, I think it was," Mr. Kiefer said,
"quite a number of Eagle Rock school children visited the farm and
the present Mayor B. W. Clark of Idaho Falls was one of the group."
Mr. Kiefer was married in 1880 to Melissa A. White of Oakley,
Summit county, Utah. Eight children were born to them, five of whom
are still living.
Mr. Kiefer's life was filled with the thousand and one
dangers, adventures and excitement that marked the lives of
pioneers to the western country. These now seem thrilling to the
posterity of those pioneers, but the hardship and disappointments
that went hand in hand with the exitement and adventure of
exploring strange country seemed almost insurmountable in those
days. After leaving his home in Pittsburgh, the lad whose future
was destined for Idaho crossed the Missouri river on a ferry to
Omaha one June, just one month before the Southern Pacific and the
Union Pacific railroads were connected.
Active in Community
After settling on his farm north of Eagle Rock Mr. Kiefer took
an active part in civic affairs and became prominent in politics in
the county and state. He was one of the first assessors of Bingham
county, when that county comprised all territory from the Utah line
on the south to the Montana line on the north, before Bonneville
county was created. For a number of years he was register at the
United States land office at Blackfoot. Another honor accorded him
was his appointment as delegate to the convention which first
nominated William E. Borah for the United States senate.
Today he fails to look his 83 years, perhaps because of the
strong foundation for health he received when a young man working
in Idaho forests. Charming and possessed of a personality that wins
and keeps friends he is a familiar figure still on Idaho Falls'
streets when he comes up once in a while to greet his friends.
Photo captions:
PIONEER RESIDENTS OF VALLEY
MR. AND MRS. FRANK BEAM of Swan Valley, above, are pioneers of this
sectrion. Mr. Beam came here in 1878. He helped organize the
present Progressive Canal system just 50 years ago.
Also on this page: Rexburg Schools to Produce Russian Play
Golden Jubilee Edition, The Post-Register, 1884 - 1934
New Volume No. III, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Monday, September 10, 1934,
Number 265
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