Collection Highlights-History

Chinese Liquor Bottle

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Among the artifacts on display in Tracks & Traces: Reconstructing Chinese History in Southern Idaho is a ceramic liquor bottle, a remnant of the global trade networks that connected China to the United States in the early 20th century. Produced in the 1930s by the renowned Chinese distillery Wing Lee Wai, this bottle once held Ng Ka Pi—a potent variety of baijiu (“white spirit”) infused with the medicinal herb Wu Jia Pi.

The distillery Wing Lee Wai, which translates to “eternal fortune and fame,” was founded in 1876 by Wong Sing-hui in Nanhai, a district of Foshan, Guangdong, China. By the 1920s, the company had become one of China’s largest distilleries, exporting spirits to Chinese communities overseas, including those in Idaho. The bottle likely dates from between 1935 and 1940 as it’s label bears the distillery’s “Two Cranes” trademark, first registered in 1914, and an embossed marking reading “Federal Law Forbids Sale or Reuse of this Bottle” which was a requirement introduced after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.

Liquor bottles like this one offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of Chinese immigrants in Idaho, where food and drink helped maintain cultural ties to their homeland. Whether it was enjoyed as a medicinal tonic or a social drink, Ng Ka Pi was likely familiar to many who lived and worked in Idaho’s mining camps, railroad towns, and small Chinatowns.

We invite you to visit Tracks & Traces in The Community Library’s foyer to see this artifact and others that reveal the history of Chinese immigrants in southern Idaho. The exhibit is on display now through the end of May.

On Loan from the Blaine County Historical Museum in Hailey, 2025.FIC.1.1.

Sun Valley Ski School Instructor Jacket

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As ski season takes off, we’re highlighting a unique piece from the Wood River Museum of History & Culture’s collection: a Sun Valley Ski School Instructor jacket, likely dating from the late 1960s to early 1970s. This navy blue jacket is adorned with striking yellow, orange, and red stripes that stretch from wrist to shoulder, each stripe about an inch wide. A patch proudly displaying “Sun Valley Instructor” is stitched onto the front left side, and the interior tag reads “Sport Alm; Made in Kitzbuhel-Austria,” signalizing its European craftsmanship.

The Sun Valley Ski School has a storied history, deeply intertwined with the resort’s early years. When Sun Valley Resort was established in the 1930s, founders Averell Harriman and Count Felix Schaffgotsch aimed to introduce Americans to the thrill of skiing. Unlike Europe, where skiing was already well-established, Americans were less familiar with the sport, often perceiving it as an extreme and unattainable pursuit. To counter this, Harriman recruited some of the world’s finest Austrian ski instructors to come teach in Sun Valley to create an authentic European-style skiing experience.

The ski school began in 1936 with just six instructors. Its reputation quickly grew, and by 1946, the staff had expanded to 22 instructors. Under the leadership of Sigi Engl in 1961, the school boasted 58 skilled professionals. Engl, a legendary figure in the skiing world, helped transform Sun Valley into a premier destination for skiers of all levels. Today, visitors from across the globe continue to visit Sun Valley and learn how to ski from the town’s talented instructors who carry on the tradition of making winter sports accessible and enjoyable for generations. This instructor jacket is not just a piece of clothing; it’s a symbol of Sun Valley’s legacy in shaping the American ski experience.

Wood River Museum of History and Culture, 2021.01.60.

The Reidy Memorial Cross-Country Race

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Large group of cross-country skiers in the Reidy Memorial Race
Amber Reidy on skis and wearing a costume.
Amber Acker in costume at the 1988 Reidy Memorial (RHD F 15005395)

In March 1972 the first annual Reidy Memorial Cross-Country Race set off. But in comparison to the very competitive and professional racing Sun Valley is known for, the Reidy Memorial was anything but. Skiers of all skill levels and ages were invited to race, dress up, and have a good time.

The race was started by Barbara and Jamie Reidy in memory of Lynn Reidy, who tragically passed away in an accident at twenty-five years old. Barbara, Lynn’s mother, and Jamie, Lynn’s sister, decided that something needed to be done in memory of Lynn. They decided on a ski race, as Lynn loved Sun Valley and skiing, and chose to do a cross-country race to ensure Lynn’s many friends in town, who may not be able to afford to ski on the mountain, would be able to participate.

Woman wearing hat with sign saying "I heart the Reidy".
A Reidy Memorial spectator with a fun hat for the race. (RHD F 15005398)

The first Reidy Memorial Cross-Country race took place in March of 1972, and was attended by about eighty racers and was won by Kevin Swigert. By 1984, the race grew to over 200 participants. There were many classes so that everyone could participate, including a class where you weren’t timed and received a pin just for completing the course. Additionally, there were classes such as “Best Valentine’s Day Hat” or the “Crazy Cap Class”, which encouraged dressing up, creativity, and the jovial nature of the entire event.

The race became a place where everyone was welcomed. It was beloved for its unserious nature and fun-for-the-whole-family atmosphere. It became exactly what Barbara and Jamie Reidy imagined when they started the race, and an incredible tribute to the life and memory of Lynn.

Featured image from the Michael Riedel Collection, Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History (F 09209)

View more History Collection Highlights on the Library Blog

The Blaine County Fair Horse-Pull

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Two horses pull a sled with dust kicked up in the air.

This dramatic photo, taken at the Blaine County Fair in 1983, shows the incredible power of a team of horses competing in the horse-pull event. In this event, individual horses or teams compete to see which can drag the most weight over a pre-determined distance. The event has its roots in friendly competitions between farmers with their draft horses, but these days horses are trained specifically for the horse-pull event, and typically are not involved in regular farm work.

Teams take turns pulling a sled with a substantial weight on it, with the traditional distance of the horse-pull being 27 feet and 6 inches. This distance is based on scientific studies done at Iowa State University in the early 1900’s that determined that a horse lost its maximum pulling power after about 27.5 feet. Any team that is able to pull the sled the required distance qualifies for the next round, where more weight is added and each team remaining pulls again. The weights pulled are truly incredible, with some pairs of horses pulling upwards of 4,000 pounds!

This photo was taken at the Carey fairgrounds during the annual Blaine County Fair, which in addition to the horse-pull event in 1983, featured a wide variety of other events such as livestock showing, archery, dog obedience, motorcycling, and an astounding number of judged competitions for best crops, baked goods, quilts, pottery, paintings, flowers, canned goods, and many, many, more!

From the Pedro Salom Collection of the Wood River Journal Photo Morgue (F 10202), Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History

Kent Kreitler’s Custom Painted Helmet

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This hand-painted helmet, donated by extreme skier Kent Kreitler, is a remarkable blend of athletic gear and personal expression. Kreitler, a pioneer of big mountain skiing, made his name by pushing the boundaries of the sport in ways few had before. Born in Kansas City, MO and raised in Sun Valley, Kreitler honed his skills in the challenging terrain of the Sawtooth Mountains, and Ketchum became a home base for his lifelong passion for skiing. His influence is deeply felt in the world of extreme sports, where his daring descents and inventive tricks earned him a place in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.

The helmet, which he wore during his illustrious career, is covered in vibrant, hand-painted details. On the left side, a man in a red shirt with a clenched fist stands out against a white background, symbolizing resilience and strength. The center features “JONES” in hand-painted letters, a nod to one of Kreitler’s key sponsors, Jones Soda, along with “Boeri” in white stickers, representing the helmet manufacturer. The right side adds a playful touch with “WHOOP ASS” written in red novelty font, while the back repeats the Boeri name in yellow stickers.

One of the most distinctive features of the helmet is the red chin guard, which boldly displays “THE KREITLER”, marking this helmet as a true piece of personal memorabilia from his distinguished career.

Kreitler’s connection to the Wood River Valley runs deep. He was part of a generation of skiers who helped solidify Ketchum’s reputation as a hub for extreme sports. This helmet, with its mix of personal touches and sponsor shoutouts, represents not just an athlete but a pivotal moment in the culture of skiing.

From the Kent Kreitler Collection, Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

The Rare Book Case

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A book shelf with glass door in front of it.

An oft overlooked yet utterly fascinating shelf amidst the library’s stacks is the Rare Book Case in the Betty Olsen Carr Reading Room. Contained in this case is a variety of unique books, each with some interesting aspect to it. Some date back to the 19th century; others are signed by local celebrities. Some are rather hard to acquire; still more recount the earliest days of Idaho’s history.

Leatherbound book with gold embossing, cover reads "Idaho The Gem of the Mountains"

One book in the case, representing many of these features all on its own, is An Illustrated History of the State of Idaho, published by the Lewis Publishing Company in 1899. This comprehensive book, 726 pages covering everything from Idaho’s geology to the history of all its prominent places, is an incredible insight into the early history of Idaho, written while its memory was still fresh. Additionally, this copy was owned by and signed by Henry F. Ensign, who served as a district court judge in Hailey for twelve years in the early 20th century. The book itself is also beautifully bound, with a leather binding and golden embossing on its cover and spine. The pages as well feature a golden trim. It truly is a work of art.

Other books featured in the Rare Book Case include:

  • Fifteen Thousand Miles by Stage, a 1915 publication by Carrie Adell Strahorn, who spent decades traveling all over the American West by stagecoach and railroad.
  • Picabo, Nothing to Hide, the autobiography of Olympic skier and medalist Picabo Street, signed by Picabo herself.
  • The Sun Valley Ski Book, written by Sun Valley Ski School director Friedl Pfeifer in 1939. The Ski Book is full of pictures and captions demonstrating proper skiing technique and showing off Sun Valley’s fantastic slopes.
  • Blood of the Albatross, a thriller written by local author Ridley Pearson, and signed by him with a message for Community Library founder Clara Spiegel.
  • and many more!

Although the rare books may not be checked out, any visitor is welcome to take a look at the books in the library. Just ask a librarian to open the Rare Book Case for you, and you may read them in the Center for Regional History‘s Betty Olsen Carr Reading Room.

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