"Rear View" from Regional History

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 … [Read more...] about Summer on the Water

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 … [Read more...] about Days Gone By and the Future to Come

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 … [Read more...] about James W. Ballentine

By Olivia Terry The melting of the snow and the closing of the runs are a sorrowful reminder that ski season is nearly over. However, one must look forward to the bright reappearance of crocuses and the cheerful presence of a new brood of ducklings that always seem to signify that spring is here. For many, spring represents new beginnings. Seeds are planted in the spring and new life, ideas, and projects flourish in the warm weather. Pictured in this image from the Union Pacific … [Read more...] about Spring in the Air

Historic Photo Stories from the Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History For Women’s History Month, let's look back to some of the leading ladies of the mining town known as Ketchum. In this image we see the grace and elegance of Teresa Parks, Sarah Jane McCoy, and Frances Venable standing in their fur coats in front of the Ketchum Kamp Hotel, sometime between 1926 and 1937. All three of the ladies had moved to Ketchum sometime between 1880 and 1884, and raised their families in the … [Read more...] about Women of Old Ketchum

Historic Photo Stories from the Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History By Olivia Terry When Sun Valley first opened its doors to the world in 1936, W. Averell Harriman recognized the need for a ski jumping hill in order for the resort to offer Four-Way Competitions. Under Harriman’s direction, Norwegian born Alf Engen and Sigmund Ruud located Ruud Mountain. The mountain would become the resort’s center for ski jumping, where jumpers from around the world would compete on the … [Read more...] about Ski Jumping