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Historic Canyon Creek stage stop plaques dedicated
It was a pioneer like atmosphere on Wednesday night when residents from all over Idaho gathered at the Canyon Creek Station for a special plaque dedication and social held by the Mountain Home Museum.
According to one of the plaques dedicated that night, the details of the history of Canyon Creek Station include:
"In 1874, a residence and stage station was constructed of native lava rock. The Canyon Creek station served neighboring communities and travelers using the Overland Stage Route and the Kelton Freight Road until the death of Marion Daniel in 1921.
"Renovated to its former splendor in 1965, the structure was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1976. The crumbling remains and the nearby cemetery are the only reminders of the glory days of this historical site, preserved for posterity by current owners, the Norstebon family."
The plaque also features a medallion created in bronze relief by Dr. Avard Fairbanks, who has sculpted over 100 monuments across the nation.
Fairbanks donated the medallion to go on the sandstone monument provided by Gerhard-Borbonus Landscaping, Inc., of Boise.
The guests attending the event got a chance to experience pioneer transportation by riding a stagecoach driven by Lloyd and Julie Jefferies with their 14- and 15-year-old Percheron horses.
Lloyd Jefferies is the owner of the Equine Dentistry in Glenns Ferry and Julie is the great-granddaughter of Esther Jefferies, the granddaughter of Archibald Daniel.
"My grandmother was my best friend, and it is great to be a part of an event where we can honor her and what better place to bring a stagecoach then at a stage stop," said Julie Jefferies.
The crowd enjoyed a hearty "clamper-style" dinner prepared by local volunteers. The meal included smoked pork from the E Clampus Vitus' Clampchef Pep Pepperdine of Pep's Smoked Meats, ClampChef Sourdough Leo's Before Daybreak Slow-rise bread, I.W. Harper's Special False Alarm Beans and the famous Lucinda Jayne Saunders Style Idaho Spuds.
Guests of the event were treated to live entertainment from Bona Fide, sponsored by the Idaho Humanities Council. Bona Fide performed songs inspired by people, places and events directly related to southern Idaho.
The Mountain Home Museum and Costco sponsored two exhibits during the dinner. The museum also offered raffle tickets with a commemorative wall quilt as top prize, won by Jerry Prano.
Other prizes awarded at the raffle included $100 in silver, a one year membership in the Idaho Oregon-California Trail Association and two OCTA commemorative coins.
Before the plaque was presented, several of the guests expressed their feeling toward the new historical monument.
"Obviously, Mountain Home is proud of its heritage including the stage stop. My great-grandfather used to drive a stagecoach, so this has a very special meaning for me," said City Councilman Richard Urquidi.
Following Urquidi was Bob Wells, a fifth-generation Idahoan and Special Assistant for Military and Veteran's Affairs with the office of Gov. Butch Otter.
"We as Idahoans have a different perspective than anyone else, because of our pioneer spirit," said Wells.
A.J. Church, special assistant to Senator Mike Crapo, spoke on behalf of Sen. Crapo. "What brought me here today is my love for Idaho and its history," said Church.
Church read a letter from Sen. Crapo to the Mountain Home Museum and director Nancy Marshall.
In the letter, Crapo congratulated the museum on their efforts to commemorate the Canyon Creek Stage Stop.
"I want to applaud your efforts to preserve the history of the Oregon Trail through Idaho. It seems that in too many places, the trail can no longer be traced to its roots more than 100 years ago," said Church, reciting Crapo's letter.
Jerry Eichhorst, Vice President and Webmaster of the Idaho Chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Association, gave a detailed history of Canyon Creek on the Oregon Trail.
"Canyon Creek was a very popular camping area along the Oregon Trail. The trail east of the Canyon Creek was very rocky and difficult to travel. The last water had been at Rattlesnake Creek, 12 miles to the east. Consequently, most emigrants stopped and camped in the Canyon Creek valley."
Eichhorst also discussed the history of the stage stop.
"At some time in the early 1860s a house was built in the valley and the location became a stop on the freight route to Salt Lake City in 1864. It was 12 miles west of Rattlesnake Station and 13 miles east of the Ditto Creek Station."
Elmore County Commissioner Connie Cruser briefly addressed the audience.
"On behalf of myself and the other county commissioners, we are proud to have this monument in Elmore County, and we want to commend the group who worked so hard in bringing this to our county."
Once the speeches concluded, the speakers and representatives, which included David Fairbanks (the seventh son of Avard Fairbanks), Stan Norstebon (representing the Norstebon family), Marty Beach (President of the Mountain Home Historical Society), Bob Rowett (President of the Elmore County Historical Foundation) and Bob Haines (President of the Snake River Outpost), gathered to unveil the monument to the audience.
"We are proud to have this memorialize the Oregon Trail. We should never forget our legacy and those who walked the trail," said Fairbanks.
Wagon master Dell Magnum addressed the audience about how he had fulfilled his dream in re-enacting the Oregon Trail pioneers in Idaho.
"I've got 60 miles to go, I hope to write another one," said Magnum after reading a story he wrote entitled "Bob Wire and the Hearse."
Rowett commented on how grateful he and the Elmore County Historical Foundation were in accepting the plaque.
"It's a great privilege to acquire this historical asset for our county."
The day following the event, co-organizers museum director Nancy Marshall and Michael Faircloth, Sr., member and Board of Directors of E. Clampus Vitus, an historical preservation society centered in Boise with their territory in Southern Idaho, commented on the successful turnout.
"I think the event was fantastic, I was really pleased to see the number of people who came to celebrate this important piece of history," said Faircloth.
"We all stood at this remarkable location by Canyon Creek to celebrate the history of the Oregon Trail and the Canyon Creek Station. The stories, wagon train, horses, stage coach, camp-style barbecue and music gave everyone a pleasurable evening to remember," said Marshall, who also thanked Jerry Rost of Rost Funeral Home for helping bring the stagecoach to the event.