Ellie Norman, Wood River Museum Collections Specialist A photograph from The Community Library’s Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History documents a carved figure on the soft bark of an aspen tree in Neal Canyon, about eight miles north of Ketchum. The carving, or arborglyph, was created by a Basque sheepherder during Idaho’s sheep ranching era. By the early 20th century, Idaho had become one of the world’s largest sheep producers. At its peak, 3.2 million sheep grazed its … [Read more...] about Basque Sheepherder Arborglyphs
Rear View
Faces of the Fourth
Sayler Peavey, Wood River Museum of History and Culture Intern A small-town celebration proudly marches down a muddy street, with brass instruments, horses trotting past storefronts, spectators and floats. The faces may be unfamiliar, but the feeling is timeless—patriotism, community, and the excitement of Independence Day. This is one of many images captured by Martyn Mallory, one of the Wood River Valley’s early photographers. His remarkable collection, which consists of thousands of … [Read more...] about Faces of the Fourth
The Fabulous Vuarnettes
Ellie Norman, Wood River Museum Collections Specialist The Sun Valley après ski scene has seen many legendary acts, but none quite like The Fabulous Vuarnettes. This all-female cabaret group took the stage in 1981 and remained a beloved fixture for 30 years, captivating audiences with a dynamic blend of singing, dancing, and irreverent comedy. Performing at venues such as Silver Creek Saloon, Elkhorn Saloon, Whiskey Jacques, Creekside Bar & Grill, and the Boiler Room, The Fabulous … [Read more...] about The Fabulous Vuarnettes
The Flowers Sawmill
Liam Guthrie, Regional History Librarian Adams Gulch is well known today for its popular hiking and biking trails, but the gulch’s history is deeply intertwined with the lumber industry and the Flowers Sawmill, which inhabited it for decades. This 1911 photo shows the sawmill that once stood at the mouth of Adams Gulch, along with wagons and sleds used to haul lumber. The gulch’s first sawmill was built much further up the gulch, near the confluence with Eve Gulch, by Abijah Adams, for … [Read more...] about The Flowers Sawmill
Sheepdogs Taking Catnaps
Carolina Estrella, Trailing of the Sheep Festival Archives Intern A vigilant sheep stands guard over two Great Pyrenees puppies snoozing away in the shade. It doesn’t seem apparent at this stage of their lives but in a few years those same pups will mature into their sheep’s first line of defense. For generations, Idaho sheep ranchers have used this special dog breed to keep their herds safe from predators. A fully grown Great Pyrenees can hold its own against coyotes, mountain lions, … [Read more...] about Sheepdogs Taking Catnaps
A Busy Day on Main Street
Liam Guthrie, Regional History Librarian It can be easy to imagine the past as a quieter, emptier place sometimes, and in some places it certainly was. But this photograph of Ketchum’s Main Street circa 1938 definitively shows that Ketchum was not one such place. The street is teeming with pedestrians even on a cold winter day. A policeman directs the flow of cars entering the crowded road. A couple men appear to be ski joring — skiing while being pulled by horses — down the middle of the … [Read more...] about A Busy Day on Main Street
