Smith and Hollen’s ferry and the Oregon Short Line Bridge across the Snake River between Heyburn and Burley are seen in this C.R. Savage photograph. In June 1902, the federal government passed the Reclamation Act, which created the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and eventually brought irrigation water to 17 Western states, including Idaho. The Bureau began the Minidoka Project at Lake Wolcott in 1904 to divert water from the Snake River, creating farms and new towns on both sides of the river. By 1919, the fertile Mini-Cassia soil supported 2,208 farms and a population of 17,000, according to the Bureau’s website. The first town on the irrigation project was called Riverton. It was later renamed Heyburn for U.S. Sen. Weldon Brinton Heyburn, who died in 1912 just months after collapsing on the floor of the Senate while delivering a speech. “The first activity around Heyburn was when O.S.L. (Oregon Short Line Railroad Co. started hauling material from Minidoka (train station) to the river to build the railroad bridge across Snake River at Heyburn in the fall of 1904,” Handy wrote when asked to tell what he remembered about the area’s history. The town started as a town of 19 tents, home to the bridge workers, he said. Before the railroad bridge was completed, two men by the names of Smith and Hollen put a ferry across the Snake River to transport building materials to the new town of Burley. The O.S.L. Railroad was finished from the Minidoka train station to Heyburn, and the first engine crossed the Heyburn Bridge on June 10, 1905.
The Heyburn Citizens group received some photos from a Rose Pederson in Vancouver, Washington. These were given to the City of Heyburn. I took the opportunity to scan them and make them available more widely.
Burley Idaho Feb. 1920 – Mr. E. Bowman – Jossie & Flossy (Bays) – Walt Gill
I was able to track down Walter Arthur Gill fairly easily. Walter Arthur Gill born 19 July 1889 in St. Edward, Boone, Nebraska. The 1900 Census has him with his family still in St. Edward. The 1910 Census has him in Heyburn, living with his parents. His brother, Amos, is living next door with his family.
This letter from 1911 indicates he was now the owner of some real estate in Heyburn, Idaho.
This letter indicates his homestead application is allowed in Section 14, Township 10 South, Range 23 East. This would put this farm east of Heyburn’s A Street (400 West), west of 300 West, south of 400 South, and north of 500 South. Nothing on the 1910 census tells me exactly where they were living, but I don’t know that was where he homesteaded either.
Walt Gill (holding son Art Gill – born in 1922), Eva Lenore Anderson (from Edith’s prior marriage), Edith Marion Howell Gill, Amy Jane Hall Gill
Walt is the son of Arthur Erwin Gill (1854 – 1923) and Amy Jane Hall Gill (1858 – 1935). He married Dolly Genevera Baily (1891 – 1966) on 11 January 1911 in Albion, Cassia, Idaho. I do not see any children and do not know how that marriage ended.
He married Edith Marion Howell (1899 – 1940) on 19 July 1921 in Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho. The 1920 Census does not provide where he lives, but Dolly is not with him. Ralph Arthur Gill was born 4 April 1922 in Jarbridge, Elko, Nevada. Aimee Jean Gill was born 21 January 1924 in Idaho (not clear where).
Mr. E Bowman – Walt Gill
I cannot tell how long he was on the homestead he claimed. It doesn’t seem to have been very long.
Burley Idaho – Feb. 1920 – Anona Gill on Flossy – Lady & Rock (Blacks) – Walt Gill
Anona Gill (1912 – 1974) is his niece, daughter of Amos Hiram Gill (1881 – 1940) and Jane A Vizzard (1881 – 1953).
Edith remarried to Robert Earl Taylor (1894 – 1953) on 27 January 1931 in Elko, Elko, Nevada.
The 1930 Census has Walt living in Inyo County, California. He appears to be in or around Bishop, Inyo, California for the 1940 Census and reports he was also living there in 1935. The obituary for his mother lists him as living in Taft, Kern, California in 1935. When he registered for the draft in 1942, he was living in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. He remarried to a Jessie Opal Shafer, nee Fowler, in California. She was using the Gill name for the 1940 Census, so likely married before then.
Nancy – Sis & Joy (Bays) – Walt Gill
I don’t know what Nancy is as referenced as a name on the photo. Maybe that is her shadow on the horse?
Walter died 13 February 1943 in Hollywood. He is buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
On 5 April 2020, I had to go digging to find my Hosanna Shout Handkerchief. It was the 200th Anniversary of the First Vision of Joseph Smith Jr. and President Russell M. Nelson had indicated we would be having a Hosanna Shout the day before to honor and celebrate. At some point on that day I snapped this picture of my handkerchief.
This handkerchief was given to me in Runcorn, England by John and Rose Byrom. It had been used in the Hosanna Shout for the Preston England Temple Dedication. I do not know who it belonged to or why it was being given to some missionary from Idaho, but I gladly accepted it. I got to use it for the first time on 8 October 2000 in the Manchester England Stake Center for the dedication of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Several days later I recall my companion, Elder Gheorghe Simion, telling me that during the night he heard me muttering the Hosanna Shout in my sleep. Later, again, we were in the car and he told me I should stop saying the Hosanna Shout under my breath. I had not realized I was doing it. But I do catch myself once and a while repeating its words to myself on particular occasions. It is deeply entrenched in my soul.
As I sat thinking about this handkerchief in 2020, I was thinking about all the occasions on which I have had the privilege of using it since then. For a record, I thought I better list the dates this handkerchief was used for a Hosanna Shout. I have updated it even for additional uses since 2020, particularly in dedicating our own Burley Idaho Temple.
Preston England Temple – 7-10 June 1998 – Preston England Temple, Chorley, England. I did not use it, someone else did.
Conference Center – 8 October 2000 – Manchester Stake Center, Altrincham, England.
The Burley Idaho Temple Open House ran 3 November 2025 to 22 November 2025. It was an amazing opportunity to invite the local and broader community to walk through a pinnacle of our worship. I attended 5 of the much more individual and personal tours on the 3rd through 5th with public leaders and distinguished guests. I wish everyone could attend these tours, which would often take 45 minutes to 60 minutes for the full tour. Some of these were guided by General Authorities, including Elders Steven R. Bangerter, Karl D. Hirst, and K. Brett Nattress.
On Thursday, the general public was welcome to attend open tours. Our first tour tried to do a small introduction in each room, but about half-way through that was abandoned to keep the lines moving. Every tour I attended afterward did not have any attempted presentations, other than to remind individuals to not take photos and to speak softly.
Amanda sneaked over and caught a personal tour on the 6th.
6 November 2025 – Amanda Ross attended individually
Amanda and I took our family on Friday 7 November 2025.
Saturday morning we attended with some friends. This was my 7th tour that first week!
8 November 2025 – Bud and Karen Marie Whiting, Amanda Ross, James Ross, Aliza Ross, Lea Pierucci Izama, Audra Hales, Aleah Hales, Anson Hales, Brad Hales, Paul Ross
The next weekend, Amanda had a bunch of family come to town and also attend. This Friday night was my 4th tour of the second week.
14 November 2025 – Hiram Ross, Amanda Ross, Lillian Ross, Rowan Hemsley, Margo Hemsley, Bryan Hemsley, Olivia Hemsley, Jill Hemsley, Jack Hemsley, James Ross, Paul Ross, Aliza Ross, Jordan Hemsley, Derek Hemsley
I also got to attend some more times the third week. But my 4th tour in the third week was with my sister and brother-in-law.
22 November 2025 – Paul Ross, Andra and Wes Herbst
That makes 15 trips through the temple for the open house. I was also privileged to do temple security on 5 different occasions, all for the 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM shift. Here are some photos from that opportunity.
4 November 2025
4 November 2025
5 November 2025 – Paul Ross and Kevin Mower for the graveyard shift
10 November 2025 – Paul Ross and Tyson Smith for the graveyard shift
Amanda also got to do a security shift, parking shift, and foot covering (booty) shift.
12 November 2025 – Amanda Ross Parking Shift
12 November 2025 – Amanda Ross Security Shift
Some of the late night security shifts were great opportunities to reflect on the blessings we are now achieving with the ease and access of a temple so close.
When I received my first temple recommend for my own endowment, Paul Idaho Stake President, M. Gene Hansen, invited me to make a commitment to attend the temple every month at a minimum. I took that commitment. I agreed.
In Hazelton, Idaho, it took me roughly 2 1/4 hours to get to the Boise Idaho Temple (speed limits have increased since then); Idaho Falls Idaho Temple was just under 2 hours; Logan Utah Temple was about 2 1/2 hours, and Ogden Utah Temple was 2 1/2 hours. I was endowed in Logan in September 1998 with my Dad. I attended Logan and Boise before going on the mission. But it was at least half a day planning to attend the temple before the mission.
Within the Manchester England Mission is found the Preston England Temple. Attending the temple in the mission required coordination with members as the temple isn’t near public transportation and we relied on members to take us. We could only go on Preparation Day, which was Tuesday. That took some work, but I was able to attend every month of the mission (except for some months where some missionaries had abused the privilege and all missionaries lost temple attendance options for three months). Getting to the temple was within 1 hour for every area in which I served.
I lived in Branson Missouri for a couple of years. Our closest temple for Branson was the St. Louis Missouri Temple. That drive was at least 4 hours one way, often 4 1/2 hours. That required an entire day to be set aside and planned to drive, attend, and return home. Never missed a month in Branson. I sealed my Jonas grandparents together in St. Louis Missouri Temple. The Bentonville Arkansas Temple has been constructed much closer at about 2 hours. The Springfield Missouri Temple will be less than an hour away from Branson.
Amanda and I lived in Richmond Virginia for a couple of years. Our closest temple for Richmond was the Washington D.C. Temple. That drive was between 4 and 5 hours away, depending on beltway traffic. We would often go up and spend Friday night with family, attend the temple that night or in the morning, and then make our way back home. Washington D.C. Temple was closed for a bit, so to make the monthly trip, we had to go to the Raleigh North Carolina Temple. That was almost a 4 hour drive one direction. The new Richmond Virginia Temple is just outside the first neighborhood we lived in and within 10 minutes of the second neighborhood we lived.
When we moved back to Idaho, the Twin Falls Idaho Temple had been dedicated. That dropped the 2 to 2 1/2 hour drive time for all those temples to less than an hour, usually between 50-60 minutes. But it still takes time and planning to ensure I get there every month. This is double now that we also have a commitment to see that Aliza and Hiram are able to attend at least monthly.
Now, with the dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple in January, the temple will be between 5 to 6 minutes away.
Now I have to reevaluate. It seems the once a month commitment is not enough. I think that will remain the absolute minimum going forward for the rest of my life. It also seems I have no reason to not attend to at least one ordinance in the temple at least every week.
To show my gratitude to our Father and our Savior, I intend to attend the Burley Idaho Temple at least daily for the first 30 days it is open after dedication. Which isn’t as much as it seems if you consider it is not open on Sunday, Monday, or Thursday. Still working out what happens after the first 30 days.
For the last three weeks I have found myself regularly humming The Spirit of God and also muttering the Hosanna Shout under my breath. I am looking forward to the dedication of the Burley Idaho Temple on 11 January 2026!
Mayor Julie Peterson swears in new Councilman Monique Hurst
Earlier this year, I wrote about the City of Minidoka having a new Mayor and Councilman sworn in to City service. At that time, Councilman Bridgett Frost was sworn in to service. She had to move out of Minidoka leaving a vacancy on the City Council. On 7 October 2025, Mayor Peterson appointed a new Councilman, Monique Hurst. Welcome Councilwoman Hurst! (State law calls it Councilman, state law also indicates that it is gender neutral)
The City has recently been in the news. The City has more work to do. The City Clerk and Treasurer positions are now open. The City has hired a new certified water operator, Cody Creek. The City is setting up a new accounting/budgeting/billing/utility software through Caselle. Updates and upgrades are being made to some of the electrical system. The City has achieved compliance with the Idaho Tax Commission and Idaho Controller Office in the past few months. Area of Impact has been assigned. Many more good things are moving forward for this little town. Hopefully the ball can keep rolling and gaining speed despite the odds against it. Many thanks to surrounding towns for their assistance: Burley, Heyburn, Paul, and Rupert.
So many things are moving that residents are becoming more awakened to their sleepy little town. The Mayor and all four Councilman positions were up for election in November. Two of the Councilman positions are for 2 years, the other two are 4 years. But every single seat was contested! Julie Peterson and Becky Ziebach were running for Mayor. Bulmaro Paz, Bonnie Hofmeister, and Mark Cartwright were running for the two 4-year seats. James Cook, Monique Hurst, and Jerry Tolivar are running for the two 2-year seats. That is 8 people running for 5 seats! Elections are healthy. Citizens are willing to work for the bettering of their community.
Julie Peterson will continue on as Mayor. Bulmaro Paz will retain his seat and Bonnie Hofmeister will join him for the 4 year seats. James Cook will retain his seat and Monique Hurst will continue on in her newly appointed seat.
Citizens are willing to work for the bettering of their community.
ERIC GOODELL photos, TIMES-NEWS The open house for the recently completed Burley Temple will begin Thursday and run through Sept. 22, excluding Sundays.
BURLEY — The recently completed temple on the outskirts of the city is more than a beautiful building, church members say.
Even to youthful Sophia Silvaz, a sophomore at Burley High School, it means much more.
“It is a place where heaven feels close,” Silvaz said, “a place where you can find peace, love and guidance from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regard temples — almost 400 have either been completed or have been announced worldwide — as the most sacred places on earth. At an event for the media on Monday morning, members said anticipation of the Burley temple has been growing since it was announced in 2021.
People talk Monday outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Burley Temple.
Now that the granite-clad building has been completed, an open house will kick off Thursday and run through Sept. 22, excluding Sundays. About 100,000 people are expected to tour the temple during that time.
Jolene Graham, who lives down the street from the temple, has had a front-row seat to its construction.
“Sometimes it woke us up early in the morning,” Graham said of the construction.
She recounted that people would drive by the 10-acre site, and as they saw the steel frame gradually rise out from the ground and the exterior take shape, their focus seemed to change.
People began lingering around the site longer, staying in their cars or walking near the temple grounds, she said.
Church communication directors Dave and Heather Wilson remember when the temple’s steeple was delivered to the site and was hoisted on top of the two-story building.
An exterior photo of the Burley Idaho Temple. Each temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inscribed with the words, “Holiness to the Lord • House of the Lord.”
“Social media must have gone wild that day,” Dave Wilson said, as people started showing up, clogging the street.
“It was a winter day in December and lots and lots of little children touched that steeple as it lay on the trailer — I touched that steeple as it lay on the trailer,” Heather Wilson said.
The Wilsons had to be patient to see inside the temple. They first saw the 35,000-square-foot building about a week ago.
A temple in Twin Falls opened in 2008, and Elder Steven R. Bangerter, the church’s general authority, said it will allow more people in the Mini-Cassia area to attend more conveniently.
“The temple, for us, lies at the heart of our efforts to draw nearer to Christ,” Bangerter said. People will now be able to enjoy the blessings from temple attendance more regularly, he said.
Temples are different from meeting houses, which dot southern Idaho. In temples, people meet for regular Sunday worship and other church activities throughout the week.
Once the temple is dedicated on Jan. 11, only members of the church in good standing will be allowed to enter. There, they will perform ordinances not just for themselves but also on behalf of the dead who didn’t have the opportunity to receive them.
The Celestial Room of the Burley Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
But the open house allows the public to see inside and view its beauty, from the stained-glass windows with a potato flower motif in tribute to the community’s agricultural roots to the baptistry, where members of the church will be baptized in behalf of the dead, and the sealing rooms, where couples, the church teaches, can be married not just until death but for eternity.
Many of the colors seen in the temple are meant to echo the local farmland and open skies.
The artwork in the temple depicts scenes from Jesus Christ’s life, and outdoor scenes are prevalent in the temple’s interior.
The Burley temple’s stained glass windows feature the potato plant blossom, tying local agricultural heritage into the temple’s design.
Bangerter said it was built from high-quality materials, as is expected for a building with the words “In Holiness to the Lord, House of the Lord” inscribed above its entrance.
The granite on the exterior and floor came from Italy. The area rugs are crafted from New Zealand wool.
Bangerter hopes the temple will be well-used, with high school students coming early before school to perform baptisms on behalf of the dead and church members attending “endowment sessions,” where they promise to obey God’s commandments.
Bangerter said the teachings in such sessions answer three big questions: where we came from, what is the purpose of earth life, and what will happen after we die.
The celestial room of the temple is meant to be a peaceful place, symbolizing heaven in God’s presence.
“It’s a place we go to pray and to feel close to God,” Bangerter said.
The baptistry of the Burley Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the temple, faithful Latter-day Saints can be baptized on behalf of their deceased ancestors.
He said ordinances for the dead are “an offering of service, an offering of love,” and people on the other side of the veil can accept or reject the temple work done on their behalf.
I wanted to share this photo from 10 September 2020. The mirror of the Snake River from the Burley side with Heyburn’s Riverside Park just behind captivated me then, and still does.
Sagacity 