Twin Falls

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Plain City 2nd, 7th, and 8th Ward Building

Grandpa, Milo Ross, was a builder nearly his entire adult life. Even into his 80s he was helping people remodel, reroof (and falling off those roofs and living), and more. Here is a story of Grandpa and Grandma getting involved for the construction of a new church in north Plain City. I am taking this from his own writing (I corrected spelling and edited for reading):

Milo Ross, Lee Dickamore, John Watson

“Yes – I did pray many times on my knees asking for Heavenly Father’s hand –

Milo Ross, Lee Dickamore, John Watson, Aline Lord

“April 2002 Milo Ross

“May 10 2002

“President Dickamore – Farr West also – Watson President new church by Archie Hunt

“Start family news of events that did help build church in Plain City by making phone calls and asking if Dickamore President for Farr West – Plain City Stake if they would think and accept a chance to build church in different area of Plain City

Gladys and Milo Ross, Lee Dickamore, John Watson, Aline and Gene Lord

“It was rumored around a new church was to be built in north Plain City area. So I called President Dickamore at the Stake Center in Plain City one Sunday, during church services, and asked if he would please let me show a building place for a new church. Not only as a church presence but because of the Abram Maw and wife [Monna] and Maw family always wanted to help support the church with a good high piece of ground that could be easily drain for parking, drainage and no drainage.

John Watson, Lee Dickamore, Gene and Alina Lord, Gladys and Milo Ross
John Watson, Lee Dickamore, Gene and Aline Lord, Gladys and Milo Ross
Lee Dickamore, John Watson, Gladys and Milo Ross

“I’ve done work building for the Maws and their wishes – some day maybe the Maws could donate something nice to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in honor of the greatness of the glory that the family of Maws had received from being members of the church and the many great blessings the Lord had shared with the large family of Maws.

“A few days later President Dickamore asked if I would show the ground and information of the offer.

“After Abram and his wife passed away Aline [Maw] Lord and husband, Gene Lord, talked about maybe some day the church would accept the ground set apart from the Maws Estate when divided among the family of Maws and grand children and the Maws wishes to keep one piece of ground clean and keep up good so maybe some one in the church would help the spirit and desire and also want and have the people in charge of our church to some day foresee a house of our Lord build on the ground, that if Maws have prayed and dedicated to church all their lives for a dream come true.

Maw/Lord Home in Plain City, Utah

“So Milo Ross has helped the Maw family to keep up the Maws wishes and with the great help from President Dickamore and President Watson Milo’s wishes and a desire to fulfill a wish come true for the great Maw family and my great Archie Hunt and wife, their good works and keeping up the drive to encourage in some way that in our life altogether keep information going forward to keep the building spirit alive as long as we life.

Aline Lord, Milo and Gladys Ross

“So from the Lords family and the Seager Velda [Maw] family and thanks to the man of God that did his praying from our Savior Jesus Christ our wishes and prayers through a man from Farr West.

Unknown workers, Aline and Gene Lord, Gladys and Milo Ross

“And his presidency made our dreams come true. Thanks Dickamore, we can all go forward now and start our family histories and tell the wold how not a railroad but a lovely church came into our Plain City by the words of a great man from Farr West. Dickamore and his counselors. Milo Ross. Yes, prayers do help our Lord.

Milo Ross found it full circle that the Plain City 7th Ward bulletin included information on the Twin Falls Idaho Temple Dedication

Grandpa helped construct the replacement chapel in downtown Plain City dedicated in 1954. He felt some rejection and disappointment when that building was replaced. But his excitement over his part in the construction of this chapel was palpable, even though I doubt he lifted a hammer to help.

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Attending the Temple in the Past Year

Amanda and Aliza Ross on 12 February 2022 at the Twin Falls Temple

Our daughter Aliza turns 12 this year. That means that in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she is of sufficient age that she may attend the holy temple and perform work on behalf of the deceased. The year that a youth turns 12, starting in January, they may enter and do that work.

Our Ward, the Burley 11th Ward, took various youth on 12 February 2022 to the Twin Falls Temple. Amanda was able to go with her.

We returned to the Twin Falls Temple on 6 March 2022. I met my former mission companion in the England Manchester Mission and former roommate at Utah State University Brad Hales there at the temple with his daughter Eliza. Another great opportunity for our family. My Dad also arranged his schedule while he was working at the temple so that he could also watch and participate in some of the vicarious confirmations as temple recorder.

Paul, Aliza, and Amanda Ross on 6 March 2022 at the Twin Falls Temple

Yesterday, we attended the Pocatello Idaho Temple for baptisms. We took Aliza and my cousin Mary Lou and her husband Bill Teal. We also met Brad and Eliza Hales, this time joined by Aleah, who can also now attend since she turns 12 this year.

Bill and Mary Lou Teal, Amanda, Aliza, and Paul Ross, and Aleah, Brad, and Eliza Hales on 16 April 2022 at the Pocatello Idaho Temple

It was fun to visit with Bill and Mary Lou on the way there and back. Bill had never performed baptisms for the dead, either as the proxy or as the priesthood holder performing the ordinance. He was baptized when a child, but only received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was endowed in the holy temple in 2021. It was the first time Mary Lou had returned to the temple in over 25 years. Here is a picture from that occasion.

Bill and Mary Lou Teal on 20 February 2021 at the Twin Falls Temple

There was a good little crowd there to support Bill and Mary Lou going to the temple on this occasion. Especially with the limited COVID-19 restrictions that were still in place.

Matt and Carrie DeTemple, Becky and Curtis Smith, Ryan Yee, Brandon Clegg, Corinne Carter, Linda Hosteen, Paul and Amanda Ross on 20 February 2021 at Twin Falls Temple

Bill and Mary Lou continued to work and were sealed to each other for time and all eternity in the Twin Falls Temple on 29 September 2021. Which also happened to be the wedding anniversary for Norvel and Karen Christenson.

Bill and Mary Lou Teal on 29 September 2021 at the Twin Falls Temple

Another fun crowd there to support Bill and Mary Lou going to the temple on this occasion. It was a joyous occasion!

(l-r) Linda Hosteen, Corinne Carter, Candi Wells, Denise Olsen, Dave Wells, Denise Olsen, Ryan Yee, Karen and Norvel Christenson, Mary Lou Teal, Paul Ross, Bill Teal, Matt and Trista Cook, Brandon Clegg, Marilyn Felt, and Katie Clegg on 29 September 2021 at Twin Falls Temple

Miracles continue to happen in the lives of those around us. The holy temple is not only a gathering place for the saints spiritually and in the covenant, but for families and friends in this world.

Mary Lou told the story of her attending the Idaho Falls Temple to do baptisms as a youth in the 1960s, just like Aliza is now. Mary Lou grew up on a farm at Hunt, which was part of the Jerome Idaho Stake.

Mary Lou is my first cousin once removed. Bill and Mary Andra are her Grandparents and my Great Grandparents. Her mother, June, and my Grandmother, Colleen, are sisters.

Denise Olsen in one of the photos is the same, but through my Grandpa. Joseph and Lillian Jonas are her Grandparents and my Great Grandparents. Her mother, LeReta, and my Grandfather, Norwood, are siblings. On that occasion in September, I was with two separate relatives of my Mom. How small is the world and the church?

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Pocatello Idaho Temple Open House

Ross Family at the Pocatello Idaho Temple Open House 25 September 2021

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints built another temple in Idaho! This makes it the 6th temple in Idaho behind Idaho Falls, Boise, Rexburg, Twin Falls, and Meridian.

We made a trek over to see the open house on 25 September. We met Amanda’s parents and siblings there as well. We enjoyed the tour, some ice cream afterward, and made our way home. It was a memorable experience and the kids had a number of questions afterward.

Jeremy Pittard and I also made the trek over again on 8 October with some of our dedicated staff. We treated them to the temple open house and some Himalayan food afterward. Bree, Erica, and Esbeidy also had questions afterward.

We are excited to have a new temple in Idaho! I attended my first endowment session in the new temple on its second day open, 17 November.

Paul Ross, Esbeidy Cruz, Bree Olsen, Erica Izaguirre, and Jeremy Pittard at the Pocatello Idaho Temple Open House 8 October 2021
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Davis/Murray Photos

Unknown, Marion Murray, Roy Davis in Twin Falls County, Idaho

Sometimes something about a photo just captures something that makes you look closer. This is one of those photos. There is so much happening. Here is what I know.

Roy Elgin Davis was born 24 Dec 1888 in Drexel, Cass, Missouri and died 27 December 1957 in Twin Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho. 1895 found him in Lane, Franklin, Kansas; 1900 found him in Alamota, Franklin, Kansas; 1917-1918 also in Lane, Kansas; 1920 in Poplar Grove, Twin Falls, Idaho; 1930 in Rock Creek, Twin Falls, Idaho; 1940 in Kimberly, Twin Falls, Idaho.

I am not quite sure where Poplar Grove is. But he made it to Idaho in time to meet, court, and marry Joanna Virginia Angeline Todd (1898-1997) on 18 October 1919 in Twin Falls. She was the widow of James Ellsworth Murray (1895-1918), who had been married a whole 2 years, he was 23 when he passed of the dreaded influenza. She had a son, Marion Murray (1917-1997)(another little girl had passed at birth, Virginia). Marion likely did not have any memories of his father and only knew Roy.

This picture of a cold Marion is likely about 1930 when they were living between Rock Creek and Kimberly. The snow on the ground and jackets show it is frigid outside. Roy is holding a horse, unknown man behind them, with this dog in front with what appears a leash. A muscular, strong dog of a breed I do not see often.

Marion in 1935 is found in Hawaii; 1940 in Carey, Blaine, Idaho; drafted from Muldoon, Blaine, Idaho (presumably the mine); and dies near Creston, Cumberland, Tennessee in 1997.

Fast forward a dozen years or so, and we find a picture of Nevin Murray on a bike being held up by Roy Davis. Young Nevin appears to be about 4 or 5 in a dapper suit and hat. Nevin Wayne Murray was born 20 May 1939 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He changed his name to Nevin Wayne Gibson and died 20 November 2003 in Miles City, Custer, Montana.

I want to read into the dates and locations for Marion and Nevin, but it is purely speculation. I located another photo of Marion, Shirley, and Nevin and posted here. Doesn’t appear things went well where Marion’s wife, Shirley Isabelle Cate (1922-1995) remarried in 1944 in Elko, Nevada, and Nevin took on that new husband’s last name.

But like the first, this photo captures a piece of humanity.

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Let’s Go Fly a Kite

Okay, it was maybe more than a kite on a string. For Christmas last year I gave the kids and Amanda an airplane ride. I had coordinated it with my cousin to try and make it happen. Calendars, health, and a number of things had to be considered. But we made it happen. Here are some photos of our flying trip.

I want my children to experience new things. I want them to consider more of the world around them and the options that are available. The kids had made a numbber of observations in 2019 regarding birds, Hiram at one point talking about The Sword in the Stone. He referenced Wart and Merlin getting to fly and all he learned. It triggered a thought for an experience.

First we had to drive to the Twin Falls, Idaho airport, Joslin Field. We met up with family and made our way to the airport. We made it through the security gate and found our way to the hangar. Inside was this beauty waiting for us, a 2006 Van’s Aircraft RV-10.

We had to move another plane out of the way in the hangar in order to get this one out. We moved it out of the hangar and did all the checks necessary. Here we did a picture before loading up. Due to limited size inside, we had to make two trips for the entire family to make a flight. Amanda and I went up with the boys first, then with the girls.

The Ross Family getting read to start up and fly away to make some memories.

Here are a couple of photos of the inside of the plane before I get to some of what we captured outside the plane.

Hiram, James, and Amanda Ross waiting to get into the air.
Hiram Ross loving this flight.
Proof I was present, Paul Ross, in the front of the plane with Darrell Schmidt, pilot. We are very grateful for Darrell letting us impose on his time to go flying. Having passed 40, the hair is getting mighty thin up there, and that was not due to altitude.
Aliza, Lillian, and Amanda Ross waiting for the next turn in the air.
Aliza Ross loving her flight, Twin Falls, Idaho, in the background.
Amanda and Lillian Ross did not put their electronic devices away during the flight!

Here are a couple of highlights of what we saw flying over Twin Falls and Jerome Counties, Idaho.

The confluence of Rock Creek and Snake River at the junction of Rock Creek Canyon and the Snake River Canyon.
Beautiful Blue Lakes Country Club, Snake River, Perrine Bridge, and the mighty Shoshone Falls up the Snake River Canyon.
Shoshone Falls
Twin Falls Temple
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79’ers at Albion

Photo of the 79’ers at Albion on 1 September 1926

Cleo Gallegos, Mayor of Heyburn, had this photograph in her office one day earlier this year.  She snagged it for a day or two for me to see it.  I snapped a couple of photographs of it.  I have tried researching it or determining some of the individuals and I fear they may be too far in the past for me to try and get it independently.  Unless someone has a list of individuals in the photo, it is just good for conversation.  I don’t have a clue of a single individual included here.  But this organization was a new piece to southern Idaho history I was unaware.

The 79’ers first meeting was held 28 September 1921 in Burley, Idaho.  73 pioneers from Cassia, Twin Falls, Jerome, Minidoka, Gooding, and Lincoln Counties signed the roster as qualifying members.  In order to qualify, you had to arrive in Southern Idaho before 1880.

Between 1921 and 1924, meetings were held in Burley or Twin Falls.  After 1924, the annual meetings were held in Albion.  Hence the photo above dated 1 September 1926, this would have been the annual meeting.

In 1941 a special reunion was held where over 200 people attended.  Judge Alfred Budge and Idaho Governor Chase Clark were made honorary members.

Not much history after that is available online.

Cassia County was created in 1879 and originally I thought that was what the group was referring to.  However, membership was permitted from Minidoka, Jerome, and Lincoln Counties which territories were never part of Cassia County.  I am still unclear why 1879 or 1880 was a year to commemorate in southern Idaho.

I also found Hyrum Smith Lewis (1868 – 1955) served for 26 years as President of the 79’ers.  He is buried in Declo.

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Paul Hotel

Paul Hotel, Paul, Idaho

This is a photo of the Paul Hotel in Paul, Minidoka County, Idaho.

Paul was platted in 1905 as part of the Minidoka Reclamation Project.  The town was named after Charles H. Paul, the Minidoka Dam’s chief engineer.

By 1907 the Minidoka and Southwestern Railroad Company, acquired by Oregon Short Line Railroad in 1910, completed a 75 mile spur from Minidoka through Rupert, Paul, Twin Falls, Filer, and ending at Buhl.

The railroad crossed the land belonging in Paul by the name of James Ellis.

James donated land generously for the new little city.

Frank A Grimm and Ludwig Alexander Grimm are the two brothers credited with building the Paul Hotel for $70,000.  He started as a photographer and opened a gallery in Mount Angel, Oregon.  He later moved to Portland and became a motorman for the for the city railroad.  He moved to Paul in 1916 and then assisted in building the Hotel Paul.  He managed the Hotel until 1 June 1919 when he leased it.

The Hotel was a popular location as it had indoor plumbing, which was a novel idea for a hotel at that time.

Here is a picture of Paul from the water tower.  You can see the writing on the photo of the hotel and at the end of Idaho Street the school that burned in 1977.

Paul, Idaho from water tower

I don’t know why, but eventually the entire second story was removed from the building.  It remains that way to today, February 2018.

The windows in the front of the building are now all bricked.  Mustang Sally’s, a club, was located in the right side of the building and now has a painting of “Sinister” as a DJ on the end.  I am not aware of a business operating int he building right now.  It does appear that a family are living in at least part of the building.

As a kid I remember being intrigued by the bank drop-box that was on the east end of the building.  That box has been removed and the hole bricked in.  I have never been in any part of the building.  Since it is beside the Post Office, I am around the building on a regular basis.

A relic of the times, I doubt we will see any renovation or reinvention of the building.  But it will probably eventually be demolished and lost to time.

 

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Memories are Made of This

Lillie 23 April 2017

Sometimes you just have to be grateful for what you have.  I am fortunate to have a great family.  A couple of photos of recent.

Hiram and Aliza, 23 April 2017, Snake River Minidoka spillway, flood 2017

 

Hiram and Aliza, Paul Park, 22 April 2017

 

Del Monte Tower

You can’t hardly see it, but I regularly see it.  My Grandfather helped build that water tower that is small but to the left of the tree just above the fence.  Most days when I open Aliza’s blinds, I have a reminder of my ancestry in the distance.

The remaining of the Twin Falls, 19 March 2017

 

Shoshone Falls, 19 March 2017, Flood of 2017

 

Hiram and Aliza at Shoshone Falls 19 March 2017

 

Hiram and Aliza goofing off 19 March 2017