This steel and wooden scythe, circa 1885, was recently given to the Regional History Museum. The Scythe was found in storage at a farm in the Bellevue Triangle. The Wood River Valley’s rich agricultural history lingers in re-discovered objects like this scythe. Regional History Museum, 2022.05.03, Gary Hoffman Collection … [Read more...] about Farming Scythe
Turkey Derby
The Thanksgiving Turkey Derby, seen here circa 1950s-1960s, saw a turkey or three running down Hailey’s Main Street. A family event, the Turkey Derby was first run 1953 and the 1955 races saw 26 birds participating. Each bird was accompanied by a “turkey jockey” who helped direct them down the street according to an article in The Hailey Times on November 10, 1955. Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History, F 10122, Pedro Salom Collection. … [Read more...] about Turkey Derby
Thanksgiving Dinner with the McCoys
Thanksgiving dinner at the McCoy Ranch 1948. Edith, Mavis, Earl, Sarah, Roy, Gene, and Eola McCoy as well as another unidentified woman and three children are present in this image. Earl McCoy’s grandparents George Washington and Sarah Jane McCoy arrived in the Wood River Valley in 1880. Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History, F 07181, Earl L. McCoy Collection … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving Dinner with the McCoys
Mining Days of Old
By Kent Friel, Regional History Summer Intern As autumn arrives in the Wood River Valley, the trees begin to take on shades of gold, while the valley’s silver, or what remains of it, will be hidden from view far below ground. One could note more than a hint of irony in this arrangement, for although golden aspens draw sightseers today, it was precious silver ore that brought year-round settlement to the Wood River Valley over a century ago. During the 1880s, between 20 and 30 mines … [Read more...] about Mining Days of Old
Wheels of Time
By Sabrina Brewer, Regional History Intern The young spectators in this photo from the Chamber of Commerce Collection are just a few of the thousands of people that line Ketchum’s Main Street over Labor Day weekend. They are here for Wagon Days, an annual festival that recognizes the region’s mining history and the infrastructure that made it possible. The finale of the event includes the Big Hitch, a team of twenty mules on a jerkline who pull six Lewis Ore Wagons, the only of their kind … [Read more...] about Wheels of Time
Dog Days of Summer
By Annette Taylor Ah, the dog days of summer. Typically considered the “hottest and most unbearable days of the season”, we have experienced quite a bit of those dog days as of late. We live in the glorious Sun Valley, an area that boasts about 205 days of sun per year, bringing a plethora of outdoorsy activities and tourism with it all year round. In this photo circa 1955, we see the epitome of summer recreation at the Sun Valley Resort. Located at what we know as River Run today, this … [Read more...] about Dog Days of Summer
