One of the great highlights of the archives of the Center for Regional History is its vast collection of newspapers, dating as far back as 1881. These newspapers, of which the Wood River Valley has had many over the years, give an incredible glimpse into life in the valley throughout its settled history. However, in a January 31, 1883, issue of the Wood River Times Weekly, amongst articles describing happenings around town, local politics, and news from the wider world, one particularly … [Read more...] about The Bellevue Horror
Collection Highlights-History
Resonating Traditions: The Handcrafted Drum by Pete Yellowjohn
Step into the rhythmic heartbeat of tradition with a recent addition to our collection—a handcrafted drum by Pete Yellowjohn, a revered Traditional Elder, Bundle Keeper, and Medicine Man of the Shoshone Bannock Tribe. Crafted with meticulous care and adorned with symbols of ancestral reverence, this drum stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Indigenous craftsmanship. Fashioned from stretched buffalo hide, the drum’s surface is adorned with masterfully hand-painted images of the … [Read more...] about Resonating Traditions: The Handcrafted Drum by Pete Yellowjohn
Annie the Antelope
Early Sun Valley featured a wide array of animal residents including ducks, geese, many breeds of dog and perhaps most unusually, a tame family of antelope. Most well-known of these antelope was one named Annie, featured in this picture from the Community Library’s collection posing with Lucille Ball. Annie and her three children were known for taking swims in the resort’s lake, elegantly leaping across the golf course, and following guests around as they enjoyed their stay at Sun Valley. So … [Read more...] about Annie the Antelope
Blaine County Courthouse Ball
The summer of 1884 was an exciting time to be living in the Wood River Valley. The mines were booming, the railroad had arrived in Hailey, and just a couple years earlier, Hailey had been declared the county seat of Alturas County in a hotly contested special election with Bellevue. Befitting its new status, the county had commissioned a new courthouse to be built in Hailey in 1882. At the cost of $40,000, funded through bonds, the new courthouse was the most expensive building in the Idaho … [Read more...] about Blaine County Courthouse Ball
Exploring Basque Heritage: The Zahato Bag
Step into the rich tapestry of Basque culture with our zahato Bag, a testament to tradition and heritage. Crafted from tanned and close-cropped goatskin, this bag serves as a distinctive Basque variant of the Spanish bota bag. Beyond its practical use for carrying wine, it stands as a symbol of Basque craftsmanship and identity. Adorned with a vibrant painted illustration, our zahato Bag depicts a bullfighter in action, waving a red cape at a bucking bull. This imagery not only reflects the … [Read more...] about Exploring Basque Heritage: The Zahato Bag
Gretchen Fraser, Oregon State Horse Show, 1956
Throughout sports history, certain figures emerge not only as masters of their primary discipline but also as exemplars of versatility. Among them stands Gretchen Fraser, renowned for her trailblazing feats in alpine skiing. However, it is a lesser-known facet of her athletic ability that we celebrate today, captured in this moment at the Oregon State Horse Show of September 1956. The photograph shows Fraser in a departure from her customary alpine domain, astride her trusted companion … [Read more...] about Gretchen Fraser, Oregon State Horse Show, 1956
