"Rear View" from Regional History

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 operated in the Wood River Region, and from mining camps were born the towns of Bellevue, Hailey, and Ketchum. By the time silver prices crashed in 1893, however, most of those early mines were on the verge of closure, their ore veins having neared the point of exhaustion. Nonetheless, even as communities pivoted away from mining, the drive to extract precious metals continued to reach further into the mountains and valleys surrounding the Wood River, extending well into the twentieth century.

Late on an October day, perhaps, one could look east toward the sun-dappled hillside and listen for the faint echo of a mine at work, caught up in the heart of the mountain itself.

Southeast of Ketchum, for example, lies Triumph Gulch, where a mine which operated until the 1980s produced over $20 million dollars in silver, zinc, and lead, more than the combined total of all other mines in the Wood River Region. As the mines shuttered in the Wood River Valley, production continued in Triumph, where mining extended 1.5 miles into the mountainside.

Ore was processed in mills such as the North Star Stamp Mill, pictured above in 1917, and at the mine’s height nearly two hundred men labored around the clock. In the decades following World War II, during which the mine reached its peak output, mining sputtered but continued sporadically until 1985.

Today, although physical evidence of the mine has mostly disappeared, the past continues to linger on here and there. Late on an October day, perhaps, one could look east toward the sun-dappled hillside and listen for the faint echo of a mine at work, caught up in the heart of the mountain itself.

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 in existence. During the mining boom of the 1880s, Lewis Ore Wagons passed between Ketchum and Challis along Trail Creek Summit Road transporting ore and materials.

While the Lewis Ore Wagons are the highlight of the show, Wagon Days also includes lesser-known elements from the valley’s mining past. Pictured in this photo is a water wagon and accompanying commissary. Water wagons were an essential unit during this time as they were responsible for transporting water for the mules and men. The water wagons are also responsible for a few commonly used terms today. During the Temperance Movement of the early 20th century, phrases like ‘getting on the water wagon’ or ‘I’m on the water wagon now’ were used to indicate that someone was no longer drinking alcohol. To ‘fall off the wagon’ was to begin drinking again. You can learn more unusual historical tidbits at this year’s 65th Wagon Days celebration over Labor Day weekend.

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 classic resort advertisement depicts a man in waders fly fishing in the Big Wood River as resort patrons joyfully ride overhead. We have recently passed the 100-day mark until the beloved Bald Mountain opens for the ski season and have plenty of sunny days to enjoy until then; and after.

This image is a reminder to soak up the sun, nature, and beauty this valley has to offer. Do something you love outdoors, be it hiking up this very mountain, biking down it, or maybe just enjoying a schooner near it. Even though living here has its challenges, we are lucky to call this valley and its surroundings our home. 

This photo was donated by Donald Snoddy and Ralph Burrell and was part of a collection of thousands from the photo morgue of the Union Pacific Railroad publicity department. They were saved from destruction in 1982 by Dottie Thomas, who happened to be in Omaha, Nebraska just prior to their being sent to a landfill. Today, they live in the Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History Archive at the beautiful Community Library in Ketchum.

By Kelley Moulton

Waves are being made in this image from the Donald Snoody and Ralph Burrel Collection. Featuring unidentified recreationists, this image was originally used as a publicity image for Sun Valley Resort around 1955. It highlights both the beauty of our regional lakes as well as the available recreational opportunities outdoors.

The image focuses on a man and a woman resting on the dock, with the woman waving at a boat pulling a water-skier on Pettit Lake. About twenty years later, Pettit Lake would become part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and today continues to offer many recreational opportunities to those who visit its water.  

If water skiing is not your preference of activities this summer, Central Idaho has many other options to offer. Outdoor festivals, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, fishing, camping, and many other opportunities are just a few to choose from. You can drive to Craters of the Moon and explore the lava fields or visit the remote wilderness of The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Or you can pack a picnic and head to the banks of the Big Wood River for something a little closer. Wherever your adventures take you this summer, enjoy the opportunity like those in this image, or try something new.  

If you need inspiration, the photo collections in the Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History have images from across Central Idaho. If a hiking guide is more your style, stop by the Betty Olsen Carr Reading Room to see what is currently available.  

By Olivia Terry

Pictured in this image from the Wood River Journal Photo Collection, is a group of well-dressed young people holding what appears to be diplomas, circa 1900. One could infer that these teenagers might be commemorating their high school graduation with a class photo.

The historical insight of the picture is underscored by the fabulous clothing worn by the group. At first glance, the class appears to be wearing clothing typical of the era, but upon a closer look, the teenagers are dressed far more eclectically than expected.

Some of the boys hold swords, almost all of the teens wear different sagging caps, and one young man in the back wears an extravagant feathered hat. The wide variety of accessories adds an air of mystery to the context surrounding the class photo. Could they be a theater club? A society? Or simply a group of students with a diverse sense of style?

An article from the 1900 May issue of the Wood River Times makes the statement that “in nearly every state the lack of uniformity in the high schools is a cause of annoyance…”

The point to be made is that individuality–whether it’s displayed through clothing, clubs, courses, or hobbies–is a thing to be embraced in all stages of life. Now, over a hundred years later, the Wood River Valley continues to celebrate its most recent high school graduates at the start of each summer. Like many before them, this year’s graduates will choose to stay or leave the valley and begin their own adult lives, shaping the world around them.

By Kelley Moulton

The Constitution of the State of Idaho was signed on July 3rd, 1890 following the first Constitutional Convention, held  in August of 1889. Representatives from across the state came together in Boise to hold a discussion on every important topic covered by the Constitution.

Of these members, there were four members representing Alturas County. Alturas would later be split into Elmore, Logan (which would also disappear), Lincoln, and Blaine counties between 1889 and 1895.

One of these Republican delegates was James W. Ballantine of Muldoon is pictured in this portrait. Ballantine, the Superintendent of the Little Wood River Mining and Smelting Co., was a Registrar for Muldoon, and he would also take interest in ranching and merchandising. He was joined by fellow Republican delegates James H. Beatty of Hailey and A. Joseph Pinkham of Ketchum.

The Democrat delegates consisted of Orlando B. Batten of Ketchum, Patrick McMahon of Ketchum, and  Lycurgus Vineyard of Hailey at Convention representing Alturas County. Colonel Ballantine would be a popular politician, securing numerous nominations for public offices but refusing many due to his desire to focus on his own business. He would be elected the Mayor of Bellevue several times and was just 8 votes shy of being a United States Senator. He would later die in 1907 of heart failure.

To learn more about Idaho’s Constitution, please visit The Community Library and see Creating and Conserving the Constitution. This touring exhibit was created by the Idaho State Historical Society and will be hosted at The Community Library until June 25th, 2022.