Liam Guthrie

Liam Guthrie, Regional History Librarian

As the weather warms and ski season comes to an end, I’m sure many can relate to this group of skiers, donned in short sleeves and straw hats, chasing the last of the spring snow high in the mountains.

This photo is from the personal scrapbook of Jerry Norling, a publicist and noted “popular young rogue” working for Sun Valley in the 1950s. The album features many photos from this particular trip up into the Boulder Mountains, taken by Norling along with his coworkers and friends in the Sun Valley publicity office. The group drove up into the Boulder Mountains in a Willys CJ-3B Jeep, a rugged four-wheel drive vehicle, along old mining-turned-Forest-Service roads, managing to get in some fishing in creeks along the way.

Upon arriving at Boulder Lake, the photos show the group making the best of the contrasting conditions of springtime in the Wood River Valley, performing a wide variety of activities such as skiing, fishing, paddling (on some very rudimentary rafts), sledding, and cooking over a campfire. These Sun Valley employees clearly knew how to find fun even during what is commonly thought of as the region’s off-season.

Norling would eventually leave Sun Valley around 1964, but he kept many photos from his time there in his photo album, including ski trips, picnics, costume parties, and bike rides. In 2000 he sent his photo album back to Sun Valley for a reunion so that “…it can be enjoyed by those who are still around from those Olden Golden days!”

Note this story was originally published in April of 2024 in the Idaho Mountain Express.

By Brigid Miller, Museum Community Engagement Manager

In the US, the month of March is celebrated as Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day is recognized on the 8^th of March this year. The Wood River Valley has been shaped by incredible women past and present, and in this feature, I wanted to highlight a group of women from our collection.

Also occurring in March is the start of baseball season, from the MLB to little leagues across the country. Pictured here is the Ketchum women’s baseball team in front of the Dollarhide House in 1910. The women in the photograph are believed to be Frances Wilson, Delia Rogers (or Olive Clark), Annie Lombardina, Kate Lombardina Bonning, Chic Reid, and Roxie Rummel Hansen. Although the women are holding a football, based on their uniforms and another photo from our collection in which they are holding baseball bats, this group can be identified as a women’s baseball team.

As highlighted by the movie “A League of Their Own,” during WWII the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was started since a majority of men were away at war. This professional league operated from 1943-1954 and was built off decades of women’s teams and leagues across the US. Women, like those pictured here, had been playing baseball since the 1800s. Women’s colleges, like Vassar College in New York, were known for organizing baseball teams as early as 1866.

While we do not know much about the Ketchum women’s baseball team in 1910, it is clear that they were a part of a larger movement of women playing the sport. As we celebrate women throughout history this month, as well as the start of baseball season, it is fun to think about the inspiring and impactful women in the Wood River Valley area.

Note this story was originally published in March of 2024 in the Idaho Mountain Express.

By Ellie Norman, Wood River Museum Collections Specialist

Within the pages of the Center for Regional History’s historic photograph collection, a captivating snapshot from 1950s Sun Valley comes to life. This photograph from c. 1958 captures a spirited moment as couples twirl and sway to the lively tunes of The Ram Trio, a beloved local band that left a lasting mark on the entertainment scene during that era.

Comprising the musical talents of Charles Macak, Larry LaPrise, and Tafit Baker, The Ram Trio found their rhythm as the house band at the renowned Ram Bar. This establishment, nestled in the heart of Sun Valley, became a cherished haven for the après-ski crowd seeking an exciting blend of live music and social mingling.

The photograph captures the essence of a bygone era, showcasing the joyous energy emanating from the dance floor. The revelry is palpable as The Ram Trio, led by Larry LaPrise, enchants the audience with their melodies. Years before this photograph was taken, LaPrise left an indelible mark on musical history by crafting the novelty song-and-dance number “Hokey Pokey” in 1949. 

In a 1992 interview with the Times-News in Twin Falls, LaPrise shared insights into the origins of this iconic tune. “The Hokey Pokey is like a square dance, really,” he remarked. “You turn around. You shake it all about. Everyone is in a circle, and it gets them all involved.”

The photograph not only captures a moment of carefree joy but also serves as a visual time capsule, transporting us back to an era when The Ram Trio’s music echoed through the halls of the Ram Bar, creating memories that endure through the ages. As one looks upon this enchanting image, they are reminded of the timeless allure of music and dance, transcending generations and connecting us to the vibrant history of Sun Valley.

Note this story was originally published in February of 2024 in the Idaho Mountain Express.

Mary Tyson, Director of the Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History

In the late 1800s, Idaho was home to a substantial Chinese community, drawn by the allure of gold and opportunities in railroad construction. While the written history of mining companies and early prospectors is well-documented in the Wood River Valley, details about the Chinese community remain scarce because anti-Chinese sentiment eventually drove them out. A poignant glimpse into this history comes from this photo of an abandoned log building bearing a sign for Major Hong King Wash House—a modest shed that once housed a laundry business.

This tangible link to the past is especially moving, shedding light on the Chinese residents of Ketchum and Major Hong King’s business. The laundry’s unassuming structure contrasts with grander narratives of the silver mining era, offering concrete evidence of a community history largely missing historical records.

A court case from 1897 adds another layer to Major Hong King’s story, involving a dispute with Quong Que Hing over money owed for work and a potato trade. This court case shows that Major Hong King grew potatoes as well. Idaho’s early Chinese immigrants played a role in potato farming—a legacy the state is renowned for today.

As we approach the Lunar New Year on January 22, marking the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac, the Wood River Valley commemorates its rich history. Take a moment to look at the public art piece, Prosperity Mountain by Gemma Daggatt, installed last October on Walnut and Main St. in Hailey. It pays tribute to the Chinese community that once flourished here.

Note this story was originally published in January of 2024 in the Idaho Mountain Express.